The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday it has not independently confirmed the cause of death of a 28-year-old Russian lab worker who died on October 2, following her hospitalization while working at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia.
The agency stated in its first full Disease Outbreak News update on the case that no dangerous pathogenic microorganisms were detected in over 5,500 tests conducted by Russian health officials. WHO called for continued investigation, emphasizing that additional clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory information is required to improve confidence in the assessment. The deceased, Darya Shipilova, worked at the facility studying plague and other diseases.
Russian health authorities reported that nearly 200 people were placed under quarantine and medical observation two days after Shipilova’s hospitalization. Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s public health regulator, confirmed that initial laboratory results for all identified contact persons were negative, with no signs of illness reported among them.
WHO also addressed unconfirmed reports suggesting pneumonic plague as a possible cause, noting that such claims originated from tabloid news outlets in Britain and Serbia. The agency referenced a purported second case, which Russia has denied. WHO did not provide further details on the unverified reports.
Initial, unconfirmed accounts claimed Shipilova became ill after accidentally breaking a vial in the laboratory, though no official confirmation has been issued. The Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute has not publicly commented on the incident beyond the regulatory statements.
The case has prompted international scrutiny, with WHO urging transparency and thorough investigation to determine the precise cause of death and assess any potential public health risks. No timeline for further updates has been provided.