CDC monitors unconfirmed plague case in Russia
The US agency says the reported case poses little risk to the United States as Russian authorities trace contacts and quarantine a hospital.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is monitoring a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia following the death of Darya Shipilova, a laboratory worker. The circumstances of her death and whether she had plague remain unconfirmed.
Russian authorities have released few details. They have quarantined a hospital in the Irkutsk region and are tracing Shipilova’s contacts. Russian media report that nearly 200 people have been placed under medical observation.
The CDC said plague is treatable with antibiotics, particularly when identified and treated early. It called for rapid identification and treatment of infected people, while assessing the incident as posing little risk to the US.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Russia to share more information about Shipilova’s death. He said the US had measures available to help if the situation became more serious, but needed further information before acting.
Pneumonic plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and can spread through respiratory particles. It can be fatal without early treatment.
