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Siberian pneumonic plague lab-acquired infection stories

Oct 3, 2026

Researcher dies at Russian plague laboratory in Siberia after suspected accident

A researcher at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute in Siberia has died from pneumonia of unknown origin following a suspected laboratory accident, reportedly involving a broken test tube. Russian authorities have initiated anti-epidemic measures and placed nearly 200 contacts under medical observation.

Oct 3, 2026·9 sources
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Top claims

  • ▪Southern Siberia and Mongolia contain natural plague reservoirs in marmot populations, making regional plague occurrences rare but regular.
  • ▪Daria Shipilova reportedly told medical staff she accidentally broke a test tube containing live plague bacteria while collecting samples at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute.
  • ▪Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev and other regional officials initially avoided using the word plague, referring to the situation as a suspected case of a particularly dangerous infection.

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