# Plague may have resurfaced in Russia, but this isn’t the Black Death

https://mins.news/en/item/86855

- Meduza, 2026-10-05 18:00 UTC
- Health
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/10/05/plague-may-have-resurfaced-in-russia-but-this-isn-t-the-black-death

> A hospital in Shelekhov, Irkutsk region, closed after a suspected especially dangerous infection, and media reported that laboratory technician Darya Shipilova died of pneumonic plague. Officials have not confirmed plague, saying she had pneumonia of unknown cause. The article explains that plague remains dangerous but spreads poorly between people, so a confirmed case would not signal an imminent pandemic.

## Related coverage

- [28-year-old lab researcher at Russian plague institute dies of pneumonia of ‘unknown’ origin](https://mins.news/en/item/86988) — CNN, 2026-10-05
- [Russian officials say 'situation under control' after plague reports](https://mins.news/en/video/86945) — France 24 English, 2026-10-05
- [Mystery death at Russian plague lab triggers sweeping precautions as US watches closely](https://mins.news/en/item/86662) — Fox News, 2026-10-05
- [Mass quarantine issued in Russia after unexplained death of plague researcher](https://mins.news/en/item/86698) — Ars Technica, 2026-10-05
