Plague News

Tourists disregarded the warning about a plague outbreak and entered the Kyzylkol area

The authorities of Kabardino-Balkaria have restricted access to the Kyzylkol tract because of an outbreak of plague. However, some tourists are ignoring the official warning and entering the territory of the natural landmark…

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Health is keeping the plague situation in Russia under observation

Baku. Trend: The epidemiological situation regarding plague in Azerbaijan is stable. The Ministry of Health’s Center for Control of Particularly Dangerous Infections has reported this. It said that the information circulating…

United States seeks details from Russia

In response to: Reported laboratory handling incident; In response to: Death and contact quarantine reported

• The United States sought details from Russia about a suspected fatal pneumonic plague case.^{1 2 3 4 +2} 2
  • Kurir said the United States asked Moscow for quick and accurate information. per the outlets, naming no source¹ 1

Kyrgyzstan strengthens border controls

• Confirmed Kyrgyzstan strengthened sanitary and quarantine controls at border checkpoints. per the outlets, naming no source^{1 3 4} 7
  • Confirmed Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Health said the measures followed reports of a registered plague case in Russia. per The ministry^{1 3} 5 disputed
  • Confirmed All sanitary-quarantine checkpoints operated in enhanced mode.^{1 3 4} 4
  • Confirmed Officials monitored people, vehicles and cargo crossing the state border. per The ministry^{1 3 4} 5
  • Confirmed Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Health said the sanitary-epidemiological service controlled the situation. per The ministry 3
• Reports said a woman died of plague in Irkutsk region. 1 disputed
  • Russian media described her as a 28-year-old laboratory worker. disputed
  • Radio Azattyk reported that she was 27. disputed
  • She died in Shelekhov in early October.
  • Part of Shelekhov district hospital was placed under quarantine. 1
  • About 200 contacts were placed under medical observation.
• Confirmed Irkutsk regional authorities reported suspicion of an especially dangerous infection. 1
  • Confirmed The authorities did not name the disease. per Irkutsk regional authorities disputed
• Reports said up to 200 people might be quarantined.
• Actualno.com reported that 200 people were quarantined.
• Claimed A local website suggested infection was linked to an accident involving a test tube.

Nations urgently tighten borders as 'plague' fears sweep through Russia

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have strengthened border controls because of the possibility of cholera spreading in Russia. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Health, measures were taken after reports emerged that…

Russia's response to suspected plague outbreak under scrutiny

The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked authorities in Russia for information surrounding the circumstances of the death of a woman who was suspected of contracting the plague.

Russia - Suspected case of plague: “The situation is under control”,...

La mort de [the woman], une technicienne de laboratoire de 28 ans qui travaillait pour l'Institut de lutte contre la peste d'Irkoutsk, a inquiété les autorités.

Kazakhstan monitors suspected Irkutsk case

• Confirmed Kazakhstan's Ministry of Healthcare monitored the situation in Irkutsk region. per The ministry, via Qazinform^{1 3 4} 4
  • Confirmed The ministry said preventive measures were in place at border crossing points. per The ministry^{1 3 4} 4
  • Confirmed The ministry said no suspected cases had been identified on transport entering Kazakhstan. per The ministry, via Qazinform^{1 3} 4
  • Confirmed The ministry said the preliminary risk of infection entering Kazakhstan remained low. per The ministry, via Qazinform³ 2
• Rospotrebnadzor reported no plague cases in Irkutsk region. per Rospotrebnadzor³ 1 disputed
  • On October 4, Rospotrebnadzor said the regional sanitary situation was stable. per Rospotrebnadzor, via Qazinform³ 1
  • The agency included Irkutsk and Shelekhov in its assessment. per Rospotrebnadzor, via Qazinform³ 1
• Russian specialists investigated a suspected infection in Irkutsk region. via Qazinform³ 4
  • The final diagnosis had not been officially confirmed. per the outlets, naming no source³ 8
  • They were establishing the source and circumstances of the suspected infection. via Qazinform³ 1
• A 28-year-old woman died in Irkutsk region. via Qazinform 1
  • Qazinform reported the cause of death as pneumonia of undetermined etiology. via Qazinform
  • Liudi Baikala reported she worked at an anti-plague institute. 2
• Qazinform reported 197 contacts were under medical observation. via Qazinform³ 1
  • No symptoms had been detected among them. per the outlets, naming no source³ 4
  • Laboratory tests had been negative. per the outlets, naming no source³ 2
• Liudi Baikala reported several Irkutsk hospitals were quarantined. per Liudi Baikala^{5 6 7} 3
  • The outlet said restrictions applied in the inpatient areas of quarantined hospitals.⁷ 1
  • Liudi Baikala said it could not confirm that all Irkutsk hospitals were closed. per Liudi Baikala⁷ 1

Commentary discusses plague in Irkutsk

• The woman died in Shelekhov.¹
  • The woman was 28.¹ disputed
  • The woman was a local hospital patient and Anti-Plague Institute laboratory worker.¹
  • The woman was admitted to hospital on 29 September.¹
• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said public health was stable in Irkutsk Region, Irkutsk and Shelekhov.¹
• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said special measures followed a pneumonia case of unclear origin.¹
  • Anti-Plague Institute staff identified the case.¹
• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said no work-related microorganisms were found in the woman's body.¹
• Claimed A health source told Lyudi Baikala that Irkutsk doctors openly discussed plague.¹
  • Claimed The source said hospital documents did not mention plague.¹
• Claimed The woman's relatives said quarantine had been introduced at an Irkutsk maternity hospital.¹
• Masks became mandatory at the Irkutsk Aluminium plant on 3 October.¹
  • The plant was in Shelekhov.¹
  • Director Artyom Fominykh called the measure preventive.¹
• The Kremlin commented on rumours of plague in Irkutsk Region.²

Authorities say plague not confirmed

• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said the woman did not die of plague. per Rospotrebnadzor, via Interfax^{1 2 3 4 +6}
  • Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said she had pneumonia of unknown aetiology. per Rospotrebnadzor, via Interfax^{1 2 3 4 +6}
  • Confirmed Expanded tests found no microorganisms linked to her professional activity in samples from the woman.^{1 2 3 4 +6}
  • Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said 197 people were under observation with daily laboratory tests. per Rospotrebnadzor¹ disputed
  • Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said no laboratory accident occurred at the institute. per Rospotrebnadzor, via Interfax^{2 3 4 5 +5} disputed
  • Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said conditions in Irkutsk region, Irkutsk and Shelekhov were stable. per Rospotrebnadzor, via Interfax^{1 2 3 4 +5}
• Corrected Alexei Tsydenov initially said the woman died of plague. now: Alexei Tsydenov later said she may have died of plague. per Alexey Tsydenov^{6 10} disputed
• The woman died on Friday at the district hospital in Shelekhov. per Rospotrebnadzor, via Interfax^{2 3 4 5 +2} disputed
• The Moscow Times reported that the woman died on Thursday.⁶ disputed

EU monitors 'very closely' suspected plague outbreak in Russia

• Confirmed The European Commission monitored reports of a suspected pneumonic plague outbreak in Siberia very closely. per The European Commission¹ 19
  • Confirmed The European Commission said it stood ready to coordinate a response among member states if necessary. per The European Commission¹ 4
  • The European Commission was in touch with experts from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. per an unnamed official¹ 11
  • The European Commission did not intend to convene a dedicated meeting or adopt emergency measures.¹ 1
• Russian authorities had not confirmed a plague outbreak.¹ 3
• A laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute died on 2 October.¹ 4
  • The woman's death was attributed to pneumonia of unknown aetiology.¹ 2 disputed
  • Claimed The woman was said to have broken a test tube containing the plague pathogen.¹ 3 disputed
• Roughly 200 people who had contact with the lab worker were placed under strict medical observation. per the outlets, naming no source¹ 4
• The incident prompted precautionary measures in the region.¹ 4

Reported laboratory handling incident

Drew a response: United States seeks details from Russia; Also reported as: Plague concerns reported in Buryatia

• Corrected Reports said a test tube containing plague bacteria broke at an Irkutsk research institute. now: Rospotrebnadzor said no accident had occurred while working with pathogenic microorganisms at the institute. via Euronews^{2 4 9} 20 disputed
  • The incident was reported to have taken place on 25 September. per the outlets, naming no source⁷ 7 disputed
  • The institute was near Shelekhov. per the outlets, naming no source, via TASS^{1 2 3} 11
  • Reports said the tube broke during sample collection.^{8 10} 4 disputed
• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said the woman died after a diagnosis of pneumonia of unknown cause. per Rospotrebnadzor, via Ensonhaber^{1 2 9} 5 disputed
  • She was 28.^{3 4 8 9 10} 28 disputed
  • She was a laboratory worker. per the outlets, naming no source, via TASS^{1 3 4 5 +3} 33
  • She died during the night of 1-2 October.² 5
• Claimed Alexey Tsydenov said plague might have caused the woman’s death. via TASS 2
  • Russian authorities had not confirmed plague as the cause of death. per an unnamed official^{4 9} 24
• Reports said 200 people were isolated or monitored after contact with the woman.^{5 +3} 6
  • One report said nearly 200 people were under observation. 8
  • One report said more than 200 people were monitored.⁸ 4
  • Another report put the maximum at 200 people.¹⁰ 6
• Reports said 5 hospitals were closed or placed under quarantine. per the outlets, naming no source⁵ 3
  • One report said at least 1 maternity hospital was quarantined.
• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said the sanitary situation in Irkutsk Region, Irkutsk and Shelekhov was stable. per Rospotrebnadzor, via TASS 2
  • Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said it had introduced special measures related to the woman. per Rospotrebnadzor 2 disputed
• Confirmed Igor Kobzev said monitored people showed no symptoms and tested negative.

Quarantine imposed in several Siberian hospitals over suspected cases of pneumonic plague

Drew a response: Overnight news roundup mentions Irkutsk

• Several Irkutsk hospitals were quarantined over suspected pneumonic plague cases. per Liudi Baikala^{1 2 3 4 +1} 18
  • Visits to inpatient wards were banned, and patients could not see their relatives.^{2 3} 3
• Claimed A regional health service source said no official document recorded a pneumonic plague diagnosis.^{2 3} 3
• Nearly 200 people were placed under medical observation after the incident. per the outlets, naming no source^{1 2} 7
• Igor Kobzev held an emergency meeting on 2 October over a suspected infection.^{2 3}
  • Kobzev did not identify the suspected infection.^{2 3}
  • Authorities prepared a contingency plan and activated sanitary measures.^{1 2 3} 8
• Confirmed Igor Kobzev said all contacts with the patient were under medical observation.^{2 3}
  • Confirmed Kobzev said none had symptoms.^{2 3}
  • Confirmed Kobzev said all tests were negative.^{2 3} 1
• Denied Rospotrebnadzor denied that the woman had plague. per an unnamed official¹ 4
  • Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said she died of pneumonia of unknown origin.³ 2
  • Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said samples showed no microorganisms linked to her work. 2
• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said the epidemiological situation in Irkutsk Region, Irkutsk and Shelekhov was stable. 4

Plague concerns reported in Buryatia

Also reported as: Reported laboratory handling incident

• Pneumonic plague was suspected in Russia after a laboratory worker died.^{1 2 3 4} 4
  • Jayadevan said pneumonic plague had not been confirmed.^{3 4} 2
  • Jayadevan said the worker's contacts were being traced. per Jayadevan^{3 4} 2
  • Jayadevan said the lab contained a test tube with plague bacteria. per Jayadevan^{3 4} 2
  • Claimed Alexey Tsydenov linked her death to plague.^{1 2} 1
• A 28-year-old female laboratory worker died. per the outlets, naming no source² 2
  • One report gave her age as 27.¹
  • She became ill after returning from a work trip to Buryatia.¹ disputed
  • She worked at a plague research institute in Irkutsk.^{1 2} 1
• Nearly 200 people were under medical observation.¹ 1
• A laboratory accident raised fears of a plague release.² 3 disputed
  • The accident was reported at an anti-plague institute in Shelekhov. per the outlets, naming no source² 1 disputed
• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said the worker had pneumonia of unknown cause.¹
• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said expanded tests found no microorganisms linked to her work.¹
• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said the situation was stable in Irkutsk Region, Irkutsk and Shelekhov.¹
• Denied Russia denied a deadly plague outbreak.⁸ 2
• Several hospitals in Siberia were placed under quarantine.¹⁰

Travel advice post withdrawn

• Baikalsk administration urged residents not to travel to Shelekhov. per social media⁸ 2
  • The Baikalsk administration published the advice on Telegram.⁸ 2
  • The advice concerned a hospital patient who may have died of pneumonic plague. per social media⁸ 3
  • People of Baikal reported the post was deleted 2 hours later. per People of Baikal⁸ 2
• Earlier reports said the woman died of pneumonic plague.⁸ 2
  • The reports concerned a 28-year-old patient at Shelekhov District Hospital.⁸ 1 disputed
  • Media reported this on October 2.⁸ 1 disputed
• Denied Rospotrebnadzor denied that plague caused the woman's death.
  • Rospotrebnadzor gave the cause as pneumonia of unknown origin. disputed
• Corrected Alexey Tsydenov said plague caused the woman's death. now: Alexey Tsydenov said the woman possibly died of plague.⁸ 1 disputed
  • Alexey Tsydenov edited a post saying the woman had not travelled to the region. per Alexey Tsydenov⁸ 1
• Residents of Shelekhov and Irkutsk bought antibiotics effective against the plague pathogen. per People of Baikal⁸ 1

US officials monitor suspected Russian case

• Confirmed The State Department monitored reports of a suspected fatal pneumonic plague case. per The State Department^{6 9} 21
  • Confirmed The State Department monitored the situation with the CDC. per The State Department^{1 6 9} 14
  • Confirmed The State Department said many details remained unconfirmed. per The State Department, via Al Jazeera^{1 9} 10
• Confirmed The White House monitored reports of a suspected plague case and assessed options. per The White House^{3 4 6 7 +2} 48
• Reported The woman died after hospitalisation for pneumonia. per the outlets, naming no source^{2 3 8} 15
  • Reports gave the woman’s age as 28.^{2 3 +4} 24 disputed
  • Two reports gave the woman’s age as 27. via Axios^{5 8} disputed
  • She worked at an anti-plague research institute in Irkutsk. per the outlets, naming no source^{2 3 +5} 36
  • She was hospitalised in Shelekhov. 2
• Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said she had pneumonia of unknown aetiology. per Rospotrebnadzor, via TASS⁹ 9
  • Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said tests found no microorganisms linked to her work.⁹ 6
  • Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said its review found no incidents during pathogen handling. 3 disputed
  • Confirmed Rospotrebnadzor said the epidemiological situation in the region remained stable. 5
• Russian authorities had not confirmed that the woman had plague.^{1 2 8 9} 16
• Authorities placed nearly 200 contacts under medical observation. per the outlets, naming no source^{2 5} 31
  • Reports identified 197 contacts. 2 disputed
  • Other reports identified 189 contacts. per an unnamed official, via Axios^{5 8} 3 disputed
  • One report said at least 200 people were quarantined. per the outlets, naming no source² 8
  • Confirmed Igor Kobzev said contacts had no symptoms and negative test results. per Igor Kobzev⁸ 5
• Several medical facilities in the region were quarantined. per the outlets, naming no source^{2 8} 10
• Claimed Local media reported that the woman broke a tube containing plague bacteria on 25 September. per unnamed sources, via Axios⁷ 10
• Claimed Alexey Tsydenov said the woman may have died of plague. per social media⁹ 2 disputed

Death and contact quarantine reported

Drew a response: United States seeks details from Russia

• Confirmed Alexey Tsydenov said a woman in the Irkutsk region died of plague. per social media¹ 15 disputed
  • Local media described the woman as a 28-year-old laboratory technician. per Local media¹ 19 disputed
  • Claimed People of Baikal said she may have contracted pneumonic plague from a broken test tube. per People of Baikal¹ 5 disputed
• Corrected Media reported that the woman had returned from a work trip to Buryatia. now: The woman had not travelled to Buryatia. 3
• Confirmed Alexey Tsydenov said Buryatia had no plague foci, including near the Mongolian border. 1 disputed
• Claimed People of Baikal reported that up to 200 people who may have had contact with her were quarantined. per People of Baikal¹ 8
• The Irkutsk regional government held an emergency sanitary commission meeting over a suspected infection case. 6
  • Officials did not say whether the suspected infection was plague.² 13 disputed