The Russian State Consumer Rights Protection Agency, Rospotrebnadzor, has denied rumors circulating on social media regarding a second case of plague pneumonia in the Siberian region of Irkutsk. In its statement, the agency emphasized that the information spread across Russian social networks about a second patient who had been in contact with the deceased is untrue.
Previously, the agency confirmed the death of Daria Shipilova, 28, from 'pneumonia of unknown etiology' at a hospital in Irkutsk. Following this, the official Russian body reported having found only two cases of COVID-19 (SARS CoV-2) and two cases of respiratory virus.
Initially, the press reported that the so-called 'zero patient' had contracted the bacterium Yersinia Pestis, which is transmitted between animals and humans, in Thailand, to which the Russian citizen had recently returned. The Thai Department of Disease Control stated that it was in contact with the World Health Organization (WHO) but did not confirm the Russian citizen's trip to the country.
Furthermore, despite media speculation about a possible breach of the vial containing pathogenic agents, Rospotrebnadzor assured that the investigation 'confirmed' compliance with all protocols during laboratory work. The agency also reminded that the young woman had been vaccinated and possessed 'strong' immunity against possible infections.
Rospotrebnadzor added that the epidemiological situation in Irkutsk does not pose an epidemic risk, and over 90% of tests among individuals who came into contact with the victim have already been completed. No 'dangerous pathogenic microorganism' was found in nearly five thousand tested samples, of which the WHO was duly notified.
Nevertheless, the WHO requested greater transparency to identify epidemiological threats. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that rapid, complete, and transparent information exchange within the International Health Regulations is necessary to clarify contradictory information and ensure an accurate assessment of potential public health risks.
It is reported that interest in a possible sanitary threat has been shown by both the United States and neighboring countries of Russia, including the People's Republic of China and Mongolia, which contacted the authorities to obtain information on the scale of the threat.