Woman Researcher Dies Following Dangerous Infection at Russian Laboratory; Dozens Placed Under Quarantine
SIBERIA: A female researcher has died after contracting a hazardous infection at an anti-plague research lab in Siberia, leading to health monitoring and stringent containment measures.
The incident took place at an anti-plague research facility that is in Shelekhov near the city of Irkutsk, Russian state media says. Russia’s federal entity responsible for combating infectious diseases says the exact pathogen that leaked or spread from the lab remains unconfirmed.
Key Highlights of the Laboratory Incident and Containment MeasuresCasualty and Diagnosis: The incident resulted in the death of a 28 year old male laboratory worker who was admitted to hospital for a period of a few days for which he was diagnosed with severe “pneumonia of unknown etiology” before passing away.
Precautionary Plant Protocols:
As a local preventive measure, an aluminum plant located near the research facility, ordered all of its workers to wear face masks.
Medical Monitoring: Plant Director Artem Fominikh told that all people who had close contact with the deceased scientist have been subjected to medical observation and their first laboratory examination revealed no infection. About 200 people with ties to the hospital where the hospital technician was treated have been placed under observation, according to unofficial reports.