Hospitals in Russia's Irkutsk region have been closed for a three-week quarantine after a laboratory worker died from an unspecified form of plague, according to reports from the independent media outlet Baikal People.
The affected hospitals are City Clinical Hospitals Nos. 1, 3, and 10, as well as the Ivano-Matreninskaya City Children's Clinical Hospital. Quoting a source in the healthcare sector, Baikal People reports that doctors in Irkutsk are “already openly talking about the plague.”
Restrictions and medical observation
The outlet's editorial staff could not independently confirm that all hospitals in Irkutsk have been closed, but added that strict restrictions are in place. Patients are not allowed to leave to see their families, and visitors are not allowed to see them. They can only deliver items or groceries, their reports said.
Health authorities in Siberia's Irkutsk region said nearly 200 people are under medical observation, according to media reports and a statement by a regional leader on Friday. The Moscow Times said that Alexei Tsydenov, head of the neighbouring republic of Buryatia, confirmed that the woman had died from an unspecified form of plague.
Investigation and contact tracing
Tsydenov, however, said “there are no plague outbreaks in the republic, including in areas bordering Mongolia”. Meanwhile, Russian media outlets have identified the woman as Daria Sh., a 27- or 28-year-old employee of the Irkutsk anti-plague institute.
The woman reportedly told medical staff that she had accidentally broken a test tube containing live bacteria while collecting samples for testing. She was hospitalised on Tuesday with symptoms of severe pneumonia. She was then placed on a ventilator and died on Thursday, according to the reports.
The Moscow Times also reported that at least 197 people were isolating. Public events have been cancelled in Irkutsk, and an investigation was launched, the newspaper also said.
Igor Kobzev, governor for the Irkutsk region, said: “All identified contact persons have been placed under medical observation. As of today, the contacts show no signs of illness, and their laboratory test results are negative.” Statements from the authorities are not yet available.
