Plague in Russia: What we know about suspected outbreak and global risks

Key points

• Death from plague: An employee of an anti-plague institute died in Irkutsk. Media reports suggest possible infection with pneumonic plague following a laboratory incident.
• Moscow's position: Russian authorities deny a plague outbreak and a laboratory accident. However, following the woman's death, quarantine restrictions were introduced, and her home was disinfected.
• International response: The WHO and the US are monitoring the situation, while several countries have tightened sanitary controls. Ukrainian authorities currently see no threat to the population.
• Natural plague reservoirs: Plague continues to circulate among wild animals in several Russian regions, including Siberia. But it does not indicate an outbreak of the disease among humans.

In early October, reports emerged in Russia of a possible case of pneumonic plague following the death of Darya Shipilova, an employee of the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute. Media outlets published a theory that shortly before being hospitalized, she may have come into contact with the pathogen in a laboratory.

Russian authorities deny a plague outbreak and say the cause of death was pneumonia of undetermined origin. But anti-epidemic measures were introduced around the institute and among people who had been in contact with the deceased.

The cause of Shipilova's death has not yet been officially disclosed. The situation quickly extended beyond Russia's borders. The WHO and a number of countries are monitoring events in Irkutsk, while some countries have tightened sanitary controls.

How it started

During the night of October 1–2, Darya Shipilova, a laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute, died in Irkutsk. Several days earlier, she had been hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Following her death, rumors began circulating about a possible incident at the institute.

According to an Irkutsk media outlet, on September 25, Shipilova may have broken a test tube containing the pneumonic plague pathogen in the laboratory and concealed the incident.

Later, reports emerged that a second laboratory employee had developed pneumonia of unknown origin.

That same day, regional governor Igor Kobzev announced a meeting with Russia's chief sanitary doctor, who had flown in specifically to verify reports of a possible highly dangerous infection in a resident of the region.

Rumors spread that the laboratory technician had visited Buryatia before her death. The head of the Republic of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov, stated that "there are no plague outbreaks in his region" and was the only one who suggested that the employee, Shipilova, had died of plague.

Russian authorities' response

Russian media reported that following Darya's death, a criminal case was opened under the article Violation of sanitary and epidemiological rules resulting in a person's death through negligence.

Independent media outlets have also pointed out that some pro-government media and official agencies reported a possible death from plague, quarantine measures, and travel restrictions, but later deleted all information related to plague.

The Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute has made no official statements regarding the incident or the threat of plague.

Darya's colleague is convinced that it is impossible to break a test tube. Even if such an incident had occurred, all research is conducted inside an isolated containment cabinet, and employees are required to wear specialized protective clothing. According to her, nothing critical would have happened. Quarantine measures were applied to all institute employees, but they lasted only three days.

The WHO reported that on October 2, the Russian government held a meeting amid suspicions that a resident of Irkutsk had contracted a deadly disease.

It was not until the afternoon of October 4 that Rospotrebnadzor issued an official comment to Russian media. The agency stated that the employee had suffered from pneumonia of an undetermined type. It also assured the public that no accidents involving pathogenic microorganisms had occurred.

According to the agency, employees had not sought medical assistance, while two cases of COVID-19 and rhinovirus infection were identified among people who had been in contact with Darya.

On October 5, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged people to "listen only to official statements from Rospotrebnadzor." Russian authorities insist that there is supposedly no plague, but the quarantine has affected more than just institute employees.

Restrictions have been introduced at several medical facilities in Irkutsk. The hospital where Shipilova was treated was placed under quarantine, and the deceased woman's neighbors have been asked to regularly provide information about their health. Since October 2, the laboratory technician's home has been disinfected three times by people wearing protective suits, following an order from Rospotrebnadzor. Neighbors told Russian media about an extremely pungent smell coming from the premises.

Reports also indicate that a number of organizations are gradually purchasing anti-plague protective suits.

There is currently no official information about the cause of Darya Shipilova's death. Her mother said that her daughter's body has still not been buried.

How the world has responded

The World Health Organization said it does not have a complete picture of the situation in Russia related to plague. Maria Van Kerkhove, director of the WHO's Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, emphasized that she has information only from media reports.

US President Donald Trump's administration said it is monitoring the situation in Russia very closely.

"We take it very seriously," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday, adding that the United States would help Russia "in any way we can."

In response, Rospotrebnadzor offered assistance to the United States.

In Trump's view, the plague in Russia is not a biological weapon. He insists that the Russians "have everything under control."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during his visit to Iceland that the United States has measures in place to help Russia if the situation proves critical. He said they are monitoring developments closely.

On October 5, senior health and national security officials at the White House held a meeting to discuss the situation and possible next steps.

One US official assured the public that Americans should not be concerned because the situation is only in Siberia. In other words, the risk is low unless someone boards a plane and makes it to the United States.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, and Indonesia have already tightened sanitary and quarantine measures at border crossings.

Is Ukraine at risk?

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi has already said during a briefing that Kyiv is also closely monitoring the situation and has assessed whether such a threat could affect Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities and the healthcare system are closely monitoring the situation in Russia. As of now, there are no threats to Ukraine.

What you need to know about plague

Plague is an infectious disease that usually occurs in mammals and their fleas. Humans can become infected through the bites of infected fleas, contact with infectious bodily fluids, or contact with an infected person.

The WHO reports that nearly 4,000 human cases of plague and 423 deaths have been recorded in 10 countries over the past seven years.

Pneumonic plague is considered the most dangerous form. Like most respiratory diseases, it spreads through airborne droplets.

Plague has repeatedly caused pandemics with high mortality rates. In the 14th century, it was known as the Black Death, causing more than 50 million deaths in Europe.

Sanitary conditions around the world have improved significantly since then. Today, plague can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed promptly. Based on the information currently available, there are no grounds to speak of a threat of a global epidemic because of the events in the Irkutsk region.

Natural plague reservoirs exist on almost every continent. Africa is the largest and most active region. Outbreaks are recorded every year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar. Asia, North and South America, and Russia also have plague reservoirs.

In Russia, natural plague reservoirs are found mainly in southern Siberia, the North Caucasus, and areas near the borders with Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China. There, the pathogen Yersinia pestis circulates among wild rodents and their fleas, which is why anti-plague services continuously monitor the situation.

The Gorno-Altai natural plague focus remains one of the most active. Infected animals are regularly detected there, prompting vaccination campaigns among residents of certain districts, while specialists study rodents and fleas.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Has plague been confirmed in Russia?

Russian authorities deny cases of plague and say the situation is under control. However, the WHO says it lacks information about events in Irkutsk, while the United States and other countries are monitoring the situation and preparing to assist Russia if necessary.

Why did reports of plague emerge?

Following Darya Shipilova's death, media outlets reported that she may have come into contact with the pneumonic plague pathogen while working in a laboratory. This theory has not been officially confirmed.

Does plague pose a threat to Ukraine?

Not at present. Ukrainian authorities are monitoring the situation but currently see no threat to Ukraine.

How dangerous is plague today?

Today, plague does not pose the same threat it did several centuries ago. If diagnosed promptly, the disease can be treated with antibiotics. But without treatment, it can progress rapidly and lead to death.