The death of an employee in a Russian laboratory who studies dangerous infectious diseases has raised international concerns, as authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the disease that claimed his life.
Darya Shipilova, 28, an employee of the Anti - Murray Research Institute in Irkutsk, Siberia, died on October 2, after an unknown pneumonia.
According to Reuters, Russian authorities initially placed about 200 people in quarantine, including individuals who had contact with the victim. The move caused concern about the possibility of spreading a dangerous disease.
The World Health Organization (OBSH) confirmed on October 10th that the cause of fatal pneumonia remains unknown. However, Russian authorities have reported that tests for high-risk pathogens have resulted in negative.
According to WHO, no confirmed cases of plague have been identified and there is no evidence of continued infection spread.
The Institute where Shipilova worked deals with study of infectious diseases, including plague, cholera, and anthrax. The very nature of the laboratory's work has sparked speculation about the possibility of a biological incident.
But Russian authorities have denied claims of a laboratory accident and have claimed that no link has been found between the death of the employee and the microorganisms she worked with.
The Associated Press reports that Irkutsk Governor Igor Cobzev has declared that security procedures at the institute are respected and that the epidemiological situation remains under control.
The case has also attracted the attention of the United States. President Donald Trump has commented on the situation, while American officials have demanded more transparency for the circumstances of death.
Meanwhile, Russian health authorities have conducted thousands of laboratory tests on exposed persons. According to published data, no cases of plague have been uncovered, and most persons originally placed in quarantine have been released.
O The BSH stresses that the absence of a final diagnosis remains the main issue unresolved, but estimates that information thus far does not indicate a widespread threat to public health.
The death of the 28-year-old continues to raise questions, while international authorities expect further clarifications due to the disease.
