EU monitoring reports of possible pneumonic plague incident in Siberia
The European Commission says it is closely monitoring reports of a possible pneumonic plague case in Siberia
The European Commission says it is closely monitoring reports of a possible pneumonic plague case in Siberia following the death of a laboratory worker at a Russian research institute specializing in dangerous pathogens.
Reports emerged on Friday (2 October) in Russian media of the death of a 28-year-old researcher, Darya Shipilova, who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute. The Moscow Times reported that she was hospitalized with severe pneumonia before dying on 2 October. Nearly 200 people who may have had contact with her were reportedly placed under medical observation.
Media reports have suggested Shipilova may have accidentally broken a test tube containing Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague. However, Russian authorities have not yet confirmed this. Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s public health agency, which reports directly to the government, says no accident involving pathogenic microorganisms was recorded at the institute and has described the woman’s diagnosis as pneumonia of unknown origin.
In Brussels, European Commission health spokesperson Eva Hrnčířová confirmed that EU authorities were following developments.
“We are aware of the reports concerning the laboratory incident in Russia, seemingly involving a pathogen causing plague,” Hrnčířová said, adding that the Commission was “in touch with our experts from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control” and was monitoring developments closely.
Asked how Brussels was obtaining information from Russia, Hrnčířová pointed to the World Health Organization as one channel and stressed that “timely and transparent reporting and access to reliable epidemiological and laboratory findings is essential” for cross-border cooperation and public trust.
The ECDC’s most recent plague-specific public-health guidance listed on its website dates from 2017, when Madagascar experienced an outbreak involving pneumonic plague. The agency warned at the time that pneumonic plague can spread directly between people through respiratory droplets but can be successfully treated with antibiotics, particularly when treatment begins early.
Hrnčířová also stressed that the EU had significantly strengthened its preparedness for health emergencies since the Covid-19 pandemic, pointing in particular to the creation of DG HERA, the Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority. “We are much better prepared for any pandemics than before Covid,” she said, noting that HERA works to anticipate diseases that could pose a future health threat.
On whether Europe has sufficient antibiotic supplies to respond to a potential plague outbreak, said: “Countries have their stocks of antibiotics, and then we have reserves on the European level,” she said, adding that she would need to check the precise quantities available.
Vital Signs has asked the ECDC whether it has carried out a preliminary risk assessment. The ECDC replied that it is looking into the matter and will let us know as soon as it has more information to provide. We will update this article when we receive a response.
Update 16:00
"The ECDC is aware of the case of pneumonia of unknown origin in eastern Russia that is suspected to be the plague. That suspicion is not yet confirmed.
"The case is in Irkutsk, Siberia, close to the Russian border with Mongolia. There is little travel between Irkutsk and the EU/EEA, particularly at present due to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
"Plague is a serious infectious disease. However, it can be diagnosed and treated with antibiotics readily available in Europe.
"Based on the limited information currently available, there are no reports of secondary cases or sustained human-to-human transmission. ECDC is closely monitoring the situation, and remains in contact with WHO Europe in connection with the issue."