The world is watching following the death of a scientist in Russia (stock) (Image: Getty)
People across the world have their eyes on Russia after a young scientist, who worked in a facility specialising in deadly diseases, died following reports of a test tube being broken. Darya Shipilova, 28, who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia, became seriously ill with severe pneumonia of “unknown origin” on September 29, before dying on Friday, October 2.
Unconfirmed reports from both within Russia and across Europe have claimed the researcher may have accidentally broken a tube containing live plague bacteria days before she became ill, spreading fears that a plague may have escaped the lab. Authorities have responded to her death by ordering mass medical surveillance of people who may have been in contact with Ms Shipilova.
Russian media reported last week that nearly 200 people known to have had contact with the dead woman were under medical observation as a precaution. Now, the world is watching Russia as they wait for more information about the possible outbreak.
Now, the world is watching Russia as they wait for more information about the possible outbreak. Asked by a reporter for an “update on the suspected plague case in Russia”, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “It seems that there was a worker at the lab that was infected and there’s concern that, you know, could have spread, at least internally – you’ve seen them do quarantine of this and that nature.
“If something like that gets out, it can quickly spread. So we’re watching and monitoring it closely. I don’t think it’s cause for alarm, but it is cause for focus and the cause to just keep an eye on it and we’re doing that.”
UK preppers taking six steps to prepare for plague outbreak
The case has also caught the attention of a group in the UK called ‘preppers’ who stockpile essential supplies, learn practical survival skills, and prepare their homes for realistic emergencies like severe floods, storms, power cuts, water shortages, or infrastructure disruptions.
In the UK Preppers community on Reddit, one user asked how people were preparing for a potential outbreak of the plague. The post said: “What signals would make you concerned about a wider outbreak? You’re plan? Chosen kit (I.e. mask)”
Hundreds of people responded with their potential plans over the coming weeks and months, with many of them making the same six remarks. One person said: “If it comes here, plan to avoid human contact. All the COVID, social distancing measures will be relevant again. Masks and whatnot.
“Expect panic buying, get ahead of the curve. In all likelihood nothing will come of it.”
A second added: “I would be looking at natural, less known remedies. Prevention is better than cure – raw clove of garlic a day, crushed, left to stand for 15 minutes then swallowed could help.”
A third said: “Standard everyday hygiene out and about, regular hand washing, I carry hand gel and use after public transport etc anyway. Preventative nasal sprays – again I always use them for planes, might use them for general public transport if I remember.
“Get my annual flu jab. It is possible to get private Covid jabs, I haven’t looked into what strains the latest ones cover though and they’re about £90.
“Medicine cupboard is stocked with standard medications – paracetamol, decongestants, throat sweets. Monitoring devices – thermometer, pulse ox, blood pressure, so we can monitor ourselves if we get any symptoms.”
What are the symptoms of plague?
There are several forms of the disease, but the one causing particular concern in Russia is pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs. According to the UK Health Security Agency, symptoms can include fever, headache, weakness and rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing.
Patients will also often cough up bloody or watery mucus. Unlike the more common bubonic form of plague, pneumonic plague can spread directly between humans through infectious respiratory particles, normally requiring close and prolonged contact.
Symptoms of plague generally develop between one and seven days after infection. Without treatment, pneumonic plague is usually deadly. However, the disease is caused by bacteria rather than a virus and can therefore be successfully treated with antibiotics if caught quickly.
The UK Government website says: “Pneumonic plague is the rarest and also the most severe form of plague. It may result from spread to the lungs from advanced bubonic plague but is more usually due to inhalation of infectious particles.
“Person-to-person transmission is seen but the degree of contact needed is not clear. Patients present with a rapidly developing pneumonia and may produce bloody sputum. Untreated pneumonic plague is almost always fatal.
“Even with prompt recognition and treatment, mortality is around 30%. Pneumonic plague is classed as a high consequence infectious disease (HCID).”
Currently there are no commercially available vaccines.
