A disease expert has said he believes the recent suspected outbreak of the Black Death in Russia was a “cover-up” for a potential bio-weapon. The claims come as fears the mystery illness could hit China have been sparked after reports of panic buying and stockpiling food hit the country.
Lab worker death questioned
Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield has revealed he has serious questions about reports a Russian lab worker died from the pneumonic plague in Russia. Fears that an outbreak of plague hit Russia surged after lab worker Darya Shipilova, 28, reportedly broke a test tube at the high-security Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia, Russia.
The lab worker lost her life from a mysterious illness on 2 October. Authorities in Russia have not publicly identified what caused the lab worker's death. Following Shipilova’s death, nearly 200 people were placed under quarantine and numerous hospitals were shut in Russia's Irkutsk region.
Expert doubts plague diagnosis
Dr. Robert Redfield has stated he does not believe the cause of the woman’s death was the plague. He said: “I think it’s very likely that the Russian officials know what the cause of death was. I’m skeptical that it’s plague … But clearly, I think they have a better understanding of what this young lady died from, and they haven’t been transparent with it.”
He added: “If it’s wild-type plague, it would be very susceptible to the antibiotics, and she wouldn’t have died.” Dr. Redfield also questioned reports that Russian authorities quarantined about 200 people and closed five hospitals after the woman’s death. The disease expert has highlighted that pneumonic plague does not usually spread easily. Redfield stated: “It’s a very difficult pathogen to go human-to-human.” He added: “So the Russian response causes me pause.”
Bioweapon theory and China fears
Redfield has theorised an antibiotic-resistant or genetically modified strain of the Black Death may explain some of what happened in Russia. However, there is no confirmed evidence to support the expert's speculation. “This is what makes me suspect that maybe the underlying cause has something to do with their bioweapons program,” Redfield added. “And this is not something they want in the public domain.”
The suspicion comes as people in China are being urged to stockpile food and supplies over online fears that a suspected 'Russian Plague' could hit the nation. Residents across the country have reportedly been left scrambling for “rice, sugar, eggs, canned food and other daily necessities” after social media speculation suggested China could be overcome by the deadly disease, according to Chinese news channel FTV.
