A 28-year-old laboratory worker, Darya Shipilova, has died in eastern Russia after falling ill at work following a reported accident at a plague research centre in Siberia. Her death has prompted quarantine measures in several hospitals in the region.
Death and Quarantine Measures
Russia's health watchdog has stated that Shipilova died of 'pneumonia of unknown aetiology'. However, speculation has emerged about a possible plague infection linked to the accident at the research facility.
Quarantine measures have been implemented in several hospitals in eastern Russia since her death, as authorities respond to the situation.
Expert Assessment
Madeleine Finlay, co-host of the Science Weekly podcast, discussed the level of concern warranted by the incident with Lucy Hough on the Today in Focus podcast. Finlay provided an assessment of how worried the public should be about a potential plague outbreak.
