Following the death of a researcher in their 20s from severe pneumonia at a research institute in Siberia, Russia, fear of the plague—known as the worst infectious disease in history—is spreading.
Nearly two weeks have passed since the researcher's death, but Russian authorities continue to maintain silence, classifying the cause of death as "unknown."
Along with the possibility that the researcher was infected with "pneumonic plague" by bacteria leaked from a broken test tube, additional possibilities have been raised that the institute may have handled variant plague bacteria intended for biological weapons.
If variant plague bacteria were handled for military purposes, their high fatality rate and resistance could neutralize existing quarantine networks.
In relation to this, The New York Times mentioned how Soviet authorities covered up an incident in the 1970s involving the leakage of anthrax spores from a secret Soviet military biological weapons facility.
Due to the seriousness of the situation, the World Health Organization urged Russia to immediately disclose information.
Amid Russia's failure to release a clear position despite such pressure, confirmed plague cases are also occurring consecutively in Madagascar.
Madagascar's health authorities stated on the 13th local time that "four confirmed cases and five suspected cases have been identified near the capital and other areas."
The authorities added, "We have administered preventive medication to 200 close contacts and launched flea control operations."
Madagascar is a region where the plague is endemic via fleas and rodents, and if not treated promptly, there is a high risk that it will worsen into fatal "pneumonic plague," which can be transmitted through droplets.
Experts noted that while it can be treated with antibiotics if detected early, the plague bacteria have not been eradicated from the earth, and urged that global monitoring systems must continue to be strengthened.
South Korea's Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated, "The comprehensive risk level for the domestic situation is at a 'low' level," but added, "We plan to strengthen monitoring focusing on inbound travelers with a history of visiting and staying in Russia who present with fever and respiratory symptoms."
Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Seo Byeong-wook | Graphics by Sumin Lee | Produced by SBS Digital News
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