Researcher died after breaking test tube containing plague pathogen

Kremlin says sanitary and epidemiological situation is stable;

about 200 contacts placed in quarantine

Researchers work in a laboratory at the Siberia and Far East Plague Control Research Institute. [AP]
Researchers work in a laboratory at the Siberia and Far East Plague Control Research Institute. [AP]

Russian authorities are conducting an epidemiological investigation into the death of a researcher at a plague research institute in Siberia following a suspected pathogen leak, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday (local time).

Peskov told reporters at a briefing that additional information would be provided as the investigation by Rospotrebnadzor proceeds, according to Yonhap, which cited TASS.

When asked whether the deceased researcher had been autopsied and whether the results would be made public, Peskov said he had no information and that the public should follow updates from the oversight agency.

The agency had earlier said the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the affected region was stable and that preventive measures for contacts were nearing completion.

On Monday (local time), Peskov also commented on US President Donald Trump's offer to help Russia in connection with the incident, saying, "It is a good thing to provide support to each other."

The accident occurred on Sept. 25 at a plague prevention research institute in Irkutsk, Russia, when a female researcher broke a test tube containing plague pathogens. She was hospitalized with severe pneumonia symptoms on Sept. 29 and died overnight between Thursday and Friday.

Unlike other forms of plague, which spread through flea bites or contact with infected animals, pneumonic plague can be transmitted through respiratory droplets. It can be treated with antibiotics if caught early, but is highly lethal — capable of killing within one to six days without treatment.

About 200 people who had contact with the deceased researcher are currently in isolation at Shelekhov Hospital, according to Russian local media.

The WHO assessed Monday (local time) that the outbreak posed "a low public health risk to the general population."


ehkim@heraldcorp.com