Co-workers of the 28-year-old Russian lab technician who died of pneumonia say she became ill after working with ‘plague-infected squirrels’ prior to her death.
The death of Daria Shipilova, who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute in Siberia, has sparked fears of a possible deadly pneumonic plague outbreak.
According to several local media reports, Shipilova became infected after ‘breaking a test tube containing a pathogen’.
She was taken to hospital with severe pneumonia symptoms and placed on a ventilator on 29 September but sadly died two days later.
However, Shipilova’s co-workers and friends say that she actually became ill after a trip to Buryatia, on Russia’s border with Mongolia plague-infested squirrels.
Russian outlet Mash, had previously reported that the lab tech had been sent to Buryatia, where ‘an outbreak of the plague had previously been recorded near the Mongolian border’.
In a new interview with independent Siberian outlet The Baikal Journal, co-workers of Shipilova, who was known as Dasha, shared new details about her illness.
“There was no fever, but then her condition worsened, and swelling developed,” they said.
The 28-year-old’s death has sparked fears of a plague outbreak (The Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and Far East via AP/PA Images)
“Dasha was extremely afraid of infecting anyone if something happened. This was clear from how often she washed her hands, even outside of work.”
Meanwhile, her mother Svetlana, who is a doctor, has refuted claims her daughter broke a test tube.
“‘Only an amateur would say something like that,” she said.
“It’s simply impossible to spill or break it. They are so heavily protected.”
Her words echo Russian epidemiologist Mikhal Favorov who said the idea of someone falling ill from breaking a test tube was ‘laughable’.
Speaking to The Moscow Times, he said: “It’s laughable. Someone working at the Anti-Plague Institute in Irkutsk wears a protective anti-plague suit.
“If you break a test tube, the likelihood of infection is actually very low. In short, it doesn’t matter to the general public – they’ll believe the ‘broken test tube’ story.”
Svetlana also accused doctors of failing to save her daughter after she was put on a ventilator.
“I saved more than one patient like that, but they didn’t save my daughter,” she said.
“They simply let my daughter die.”
She said that four days on from her daughter’s death she’s still waiting for answers.
“I’m waiting for it to become official,” she added.
Plague bacteria Yersinia pestis (Getty)
“It has to be an official document. It’s very hard for me right now. This whole spectacle drags on.”
Shipilova’s death prompted several hospitals and colleges to go into lockdown while almost 200 people who came into contact with her have been quarantined.
Governor of Irkutsk Igor Kobzev said that at present there does not appear to be any other individuals who are currently showing signs of infection.
The UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said it is looking into the reports.
In a statement shared with the HuffPost, Chris Lewis, Director of Global Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “UKHSA is aware of media reports that emergency containment measures have been introduced in Russia’s Irkutsk region following the death of an employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute.
“We are seeking information through the International Health Regulations channels to further understand the circumstances and verify the accuracy of these reports.”
What is pneumonic plague?
Pneumonic plague is one of three kinds of plague, alongside bubonic and septicaemic.
It is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, usually found in small mammals and their fleas and can be contracted by humans via bites from infected fleas, unprotected contact with infected bodily fluids, or the inhalation of particles from a patient with pneumonic plague.
According to the World Health Organisation, pneumonic – or lung-based – plague is the most virulent form of plague.
“Incubation can be as short as 24 hours,” WHO writes.
“Any person with pneumonic plague may transmit the disease via respiratory particles to other humans. Untreated pneumonic plague, if not diagnosed and treated early, can be fatal.”
However, the organisation also notes that recovery rates are ‘high’ if the disease is detected and treated within 24 hours of onset symptoms.
