Russian lab worker’s death sparks plague fears as unverified claims spread online
Summary
A 28-year-old lab worker named Daria Shipilova died in Siberia’s Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, causing fears about a plague outbreak in Russia. The World Health Organization says the health risk from this case is low, but misinformation and unproven claims about how she got sick are spreading online.Key Facts
- Daria Shipilova worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute and died two days after falling ill at work.
- There are unconfirmed claims that she got sick from a lab accident or from travel near Mongolia or Thailand.
- Russian officials said no signs of pathogens related to her work were found in tests, and no other disease cases were reported at the institute recently.
- The head of the neighboring Republic of Buryatia said she did not visit that region and the infection source is unrelated to it.
- WHO updated its information on plague and other diseases on September 29 but denied any connection to Shipilova’s illness.
- Some online posts and social media accounts spreading these claims are not based in Russia and have unclear credibility.
- Misleading videos and posts have increased public fears, although there is no official indication of an outbreak.
- Russian and international health authorities continue to monitor the situation and consider the public health risk low.
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