Russian scientist ‘dies from plague’ as Putin’s top doctor rushes to control outbreak with hospital on lockdown

A 28-year-old Russian scientist is reported to have died from a suspected case of plague, prompting authorities to quarantine a hospital and place people who had contact with her under medical observation.

Daria Sh, a medical university graduate who reportedly worked for an anti-plague institute, died after falling seriously ill in Russia’s Irkutsk region following an expedition near the country’s border with Mongolia. Reports have suggested she may have contracted bubonic or pneumonic plague, although Russian officials have not publicly confirmed the specific disease involved.

Russia’s Chief State Sanitary Doctor Anna Popova travelled from Moscow to Irkutsk to oversee the response after authorities received information about a suspected case of what officials described as a “particularly dangerous infectious disease.” Daria was taken to Shelekhov District Hospital, which was subsequently placed under quarantine, with around 100 staff members reportedly isolated.

Residents of Shelekhov were also instructed to wear masks as health officials carried out testing and other measures aimed at preventing any potential spread. Footage circulating from the area showed a medical worker wearing full protective equipment, prompting concern among some residents. One resident said: “I saw someone walking by in a full white protective suit, mask, gloves, and all – right among ordinary people. I was shocked. Given what’s going on at the hospital, does this mean they’re already taking samples out in the city?”

The circumstances surrounding Daria’s suspected infection remain unclear. One theory reported by Russian media alleged that she accidentally broke a test tube containing a dangerous bacterium while working with biological material in a laboratory. Another report claimed she had been bitten by a laboratory rat. Neither account has been officially confirmed.

Reports said the suspected exposure occurred on September 25. Medical records cited by Russian media indicated that she called an ambulance on September 29 after developing symptoms said to resemble those associated with bubonic plague. She reportedly died two days later after being placed on a ventilator. Russian news outlet Mash reported: “Doctors and Rospotrebnadzor [Russia’s public health watchdog] are investigating the circumstances of the infection and carrying out anti-epidemic measures.”

Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev confirmed that an emergency meeting had been held with Popova and regional health officials. “We held an extraordinary meeting of the regional sanitary and anti-epidemic commission with the participation of Russia’s Chief State Sanitary Doctor Anna Popova,” Kobzev said. “The reason was information that had emerged about a suspected case of a particularly dangerous infectious disease in a resident of the region. All identified contacts have been placed under medical observation.”

According to the reports, none of the identified contacts who had been tested showed signs of illness. The case comes after Russian and Mongolian scientists conducted several expeditions in remote border areas during the year. Mongolian sources reportedly said that “cultures of the plague pathogen were isolated and the focus was found to be active” during investigations of natural plague reservoirs in the region.

It remains unclear, however, whether those findings are connected to Daria’s illness. The last registered human plague case in Russia was reported in 2016, when a 10-year-old boy became infected after skinning a marmot carcass.

Plague is a bacterial infectious disease historically associated with the Black Death. Authorities have yet to officially confirm that Daria’s death was caused by plague, and investigations into the suspected infection are continuing.

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