Death of Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute lab worker Darya Shipilova
A laboratory technician, Darya Shipilova, died in Irkutsk, Siberia, after possible exposure to pneumonic plague at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. Russian health authorities said she died of pneumonia of unknown aetiology and denied plague cases, while quarantining contacts, confining colleagues and restricting access to hospitals. The United States demanded transparency and the World Health Organization monitored the situation.
Current state
Russian authorities say laboratory technician Darya Shipilova, 28, died of pneumonia of unknown aetiology unrelated to her work at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, yet contacts remain quarantined, 60 colleagues are confined to the facility and hospital access is restricted; the WHO assesses the plague epidemic risk as low and reports no further outbreak, while the United States has demanded transparency.
4 sources · 4 reports · Updated 6 Oct 2026
What changed
The United States publicly demanded Russian transparency over the lab worker's death and investigation.
Developments
- Key development
The United States, via Secretary of State Marco Rubio, publicly demanded Russian transparency over the death and investigation.
- Key development
The WHO assessed the plague epidemic risk in Russia as low and reported no sign of further outbreak.
- Key development
Rospotrebnadzor formally stated Shipilova died of pneumonia of unknown aetiology with no link to her work, while imposing quarantine on contacts, confining 60 colleagues and restricting hospital access.
- Earlier development
Shipilova died after possible exposure to pneumonic plague, prompting medical observation of nearly 200 people.