# Lab worker ‘possibly’ dies of plague in Siberia, prompting quarantine measures

https://mins.news/en/item/86278

- The Guardian, 2026-10-05 10:47 UTC
- Health
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/05/russia-lab-worker-possibly-dies-of-plague-siberia-quarantine-measures-irkutsk

> Several hospitals in Siberia have introduced quarantine measures after Darya Shipilova, an employee at an anti-plague institute in Irkutsk, died. Officials have issued conflicting accounts over a possible plague infection, while Russia’s health watchdog says she died of pneumonia of unknown cause and that tests found no work-related microorganisms. Contacts are under observation and tests have been negative.

## Related coverage

- [Dozens quarantined in Siberia after plague institute worker dies](https://mins.news/en/item/86417) — Reuters, 2026-10-05
- [Russian lab worker dies in suspected plague case, hospital quarantines: report](https://mins.news/en/item/86162) — TRT World, 2026-10-05
- [Employee of Russia anti-plague institute diagnosed with ‘pneumonia’](https://mins.news/en/video/85780) — ABC News, 2026-10-05
- [Irkutsk hospitals impose quarantines after anti-plague institute employee dies](https://mins.news/en/item/85770) — Meduza, 2026-10-05
