Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Russia Plague Reports Claim Second Person Has Died
Reports from Russia say a second person may have died after a possible plague infection.
The reports have not been confirmed.
The first reported victim was lab worker Darya Shipilova.
A news report said she may have been exposed after a test tube broke.
Russian officials said tests found no dangerous germs in the people who had contact with her.
They also said monitoring of those contacts had ended and the situation was stable.
The World Health Organization said the risk outside Russia was very low.
Some nearby countries tightened health checks at their borders.
The article also reported claims that some Russian media removed stories about the possible outbreak.
Unconfirmed local media reports said a second person died after showing symptoms similar to those of lab worker Darya Shipilova.
Shipilova, 29, reportedly contracted an infection after accidentally breaking a test tube containing live bacteria.
Russian officials said contacts were tested and monitored, with no dangerous pathogens found and monitoring later concluded.
The World Health Organization described the possible risk outside Russia as “very low.”
Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan reportedly tightened border health controls; allegations that Russian media removed plague reports were also reported.
- Who
- Darya Shipilova and an unconfirmed second reported victim; Russian health officials and the World Health Organization also addressed the possible outbreak.
- What
- Local media claimed a second person died of plague, while Russian officials said contact testing found no dangerous pathogens.
- When
- The second death was reported Wednesday morning; the article also refers to an October 3 local post but gives no year.
- Where
- The reported second death was at Irkutsk District Hospital in Siberia, Russia.
- Why
- The reports linked the possible deaths to plague exposure, including an alleged laboratory accident involving a test tube of live bacteria.
Reports of Plague
Official Reassurances
Cause of Shipilova's death
Reports of Plague
Media reports described her death as caused by a fatal plague strain, specifically pneumonic plague.
Official Reassurances
Russia said she died of a form of pneumonia and not plague.
Possible second case
Reports of Plague
Unconfirmed local media reports said a second person with similar symptoms had died.
Official Reassurances
The article does not provide an official confirmation of a second plague death; Russian authorities said the epidemiological situation was stable.
Handling of outbreak information
Reports of Plague
Some reports accused Vladimir Putin of covering up the outbreak and alleged that Russian media outlets removed coverage.
Official Reassurances
Russian officials said preventive measures were carried out, contacts were tested and monitored, and tests found no dangerous pathogens.
- Second reported death
- Unconfirmed local media reports said a person died at Irkutsk District Hospital.
- First reported victim
- Darya Shipilova, a 29-year-old lab worker.
- Alleged exposure
- The Moscow Times reportedly said Shipilova broke a test tube containing live bacteria.
- Russian officials' account
- Officials said contacts tested negative for dangerous infectious disease pathogens and monitoring had concluded.
- WHO assessment
- The possible pneumonic plague case posed a “very low” risk outside Russia, according to the WHO.
- Border precautions
- Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan reportedly tightened border health controls.
- Media removal allegations
- The article reported claims that REN TV, Channel 5 and Kommersant removed plague coverage.