Russia Says Epidemiological Investigation Info to Be Disclosed Regarding Plague Research Institute Incident

Russian authorities are conducting an epidemiological investigation into the pathogen leak and researcher death at a plague research institute in Siberia, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on the 6th (local time).

According to TASS news agency, Peskov said during a briefing that additional information will be provided as the investigation by Rospotrebnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) progresses.

When asked whether an autopsy was performed on the deceased and if the results would be made public, Peskov replied, "I do not have that information," adding that one should follow the information provided by the supervisory agency.

Previously, the agency explained that the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the region where the incident occurred is stable and that preventive measures for contacts are nearing completion.

Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's offer the previous day to help Russia regarding the pathogen leak incident, Peskov remarked, "Providing mutual assistance is a good thing."

The incident occurred on September 25 when a female researcher broke a test tube containing plague pathogens at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Russia.

The researcher was hospitalized with severe pneumonia symptoms on September 29 and died overnight between October 1 and 2.

Unlike other forms of plague transmitted through contact with fleas or animals, pneumonic plague can be spread via respiratory droplets.

While it can be treated with antibiotics if detected early, it has a fatality rate high enough to cause death within 1 to 6 days if left untreated.

According to local Russian media, about 200 people who came into contact with the deceased researcher are currently quarantined at Shelekhov Hospital.

The World Health Organization (WHO) evaluated the situation in Russia yesterday, stating that "the public health risk to the general public appears to be low."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.