# Mass quarantine issued in Russia after unexplained death of plague researcher

https://mins.news/en/item/86698

- Ars Technica, 2026-10-05 15:12 UTC
- Health
- Original: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/10/researchers-death-from-undisclosed-illness-sparks-mass-quarantine-in-russia/

> About 200 people are under medical observation, several hospitals are quarantined and dozens are isolated in Shelekhov after researcher Darya Shipilova of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute reportedly died from pneumonia of unknown cause. Unconfirmed reports say she may have broken a tube containing Yersinia pestis before falling ill. A regional official first said plague caused her death, then said it was only possible.

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