Russia Says Checks Following Siberian Plague Lab Death Are Complete

By Reuters Oct. 8, 2026 A satellite image showing the Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East in Irkutsk. Reuters Russia said on Thursday it had completed health checks on all the contacts of a deceased lab worker at a plague research facility in Siberia, signaling a desire to draw a line under the affair. Statements from the state health watchdog and the regional governor said monitoring of all the dead woman's contacts had concluded, and reiterated that no dangerous pathogens had been found in nearly 5,000 samples. "Amidst intense media scrutiny, the specialists thoroughly investigated the situation. It was a test, but we passed it in worthy fashion," Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said. Yet despite pressure from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States, Russian authorities have yet to state definitively whether the death of 28-year-old lab worker Darya Shipilova on Oct. 2 could have been caused by plague. They have previously stated that she died from pneumonia but that the origin of the pneumonia had yet to be determined. They have also said she was appropriately vaccinated and that no microorganisms linked to her work were found in her body. On Wednesday, senior WHO official Maria Van Kerkhove said the global body wanted more information from Russia on what laboratory tests had been conducted, which pathogens were evaluated and that "if this individual didn't die from plague, then how did she die?" Russia says it has provided full information to the WHO according to established procedures. Global health officials — as well as the world's media — have been particularly alert to pneumonia cases of undetermined cause since the Covid-19 pandemic, which began with a cluster of fast-spreading fatal respiratory illness in China. However, the cause of individual pneumonia cases can often not be determined. The lung infection can have a variety of causes other than plague, including other bacterial infections or viral respiratory diseases, such as Covid or flu. Read more about: Irkutsk , Siberia , Regions , Health Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Regions Calling: In Irkutsk, Locals Ask 'What Plague?' For residents of Irkutsk, news of the death of a lab worker at a plague research institute is just “background noise.” 7 Min read Nearly 200 People Under Observation After Irkutsk Lab Worker Dies From Plague Alexei Tsydenov, head of the neighboring republic of Buryatia, confirmed that the woman had died from an unspecified form of plague. 2 Min read Feature As Their Nationwide Pollution Problem Deepens, Russians Say They Have Bigger Worries New data shows that nearly 60% of Russians are exposed to pollution. For many, economic pressures leave little room to worry about the environment. 5 Min read Feature Black Sky, Gray Snow: Decades of Air Pollution Leave Siberia's Krasnoyarsk Struggling to Breathe “I have been living in Krasnoyarsk since birth, and I am generally adapted to life here. But lately, even I cannot bear it,” one resident said. 7 Min read