Authorities in Russia’s Irkutsk region placed dozens of people under quarantine after a worker at a plague research institute died from pneumonia of unknown cause.
The woman, identified by local media as 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute.
Her death fueled social media rumors of a possible pneumonic plague outbreak in the area.
Russia’s health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, said there was no evidence that the woman contracted an infection at work or that an accident involving plague bacteria occurred at the institute.
Officials said all known contacts of the woman have been identified, examined and placed under medical supervision.
They also said no new cases among institute employees have been reported and urged residents to remain calm.
