Dozens quarantined after Russian plague researcher dies of unexplained pneumonia
publishers 32articles 32first reported 5 Oct, 06:30 UTCdeveloping since 5 Oct · 9 editions
Russian authorities quarantined dozens of people and placed roughly 200 under medical observation after a researcher at an anti-plague institute in Siberia died from pneumonia of undetermined origin.
The researcher, identified by local media as 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East. She reportedly entered a hospital on September 29 and died between October 1 and 2.
Unconfirmed reports claimed Shipilova had broken a test tube containing *Yersinia pestis*, the bacterium that causes plague. Alexey Tsydenov, head of a neighboring Russian region, initially said she had died of plague but later changed his statement to say the disease was a possible cause.
Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said an expert commission concluded that Shipilova died from pneumonia of undetermined cause. He said tests found no microorganisms connected to her professional work in her biological samples and that no other institute employees had sought medical care since her death. Kobzev described the regional public-health situation as stable and under control.
The head of Russia’s health watchdog traveled to the Irkutsk region as authorities investigated. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged the public to rely on official statements rather than rumors.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said American agencies were monitoring the situation but saw no cause for alarm.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 30 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
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- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 30 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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