Measures for plague preparedness have been strengthened in Uzbekistan
The death of a female employee of the Plague Research Institute from pneumonia in Russia has sparked rumors about the plague. The Sanitary-Epidemiological Service of Uzbekistan announced that it is monitoring the situation in Irkutsk and, taking into account the potential risk, has strengthened preparatory measures. At the same time, the Sanitary-Epidemiological Service is urging the population not to panic over unconfirmed reports.
**Plague preparedness measures strengthened in Uzbekistan**
Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old resident of Shelekhov in Russia's Irkutsk region and an employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, was hospitalized with severe pneumonia on September 29 and passed away between October 1 and 2. A version circulated on social media suggesting that she had broken a test tube while working with the plague pathogen in the laboratory. However, this information has not been officially confirmed.
Reports that citizens who had been in contact with the deceased were quarantined have further heightened concerns about a plague outbreak in Irkutsk. These reports have also sparked discussions in Uzbekistan.
Botir Qurbonov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health under the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, commented on the situation, stating that relevant precautionary measures have been strengthened.
"The plague is an extremely dangerous infectious disease that can be transmitted in various ways. The case currently under our attention is the pneumonic form. This can be transmitted from person to person. That is, the disease can be transmitted through the air when a person exhales," he said.
According to Qurbonov, the inpatient hospital where the deceased patient was treated in Irkutsk has been quarantined, and nearly 200 individuals who had been in contact with the deceased were placed under observation. The sanitary-epidemiological service of Uzbekistan is also monitoring reports regarding the situation.
"Currently, we are monitoring reports related to them. None of them have made complaints regarding fever, pneumonia-like cough, or various respiratory tract issues," Qurbonov said.
**Plague diagnosis not confirmed**
According to Rospotrebnadzor, no microorganisms related to her professional activity were detected in the biological samples of the deceased. She was diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown etiology.
Thus, the versions regarding a plague infection or an accident in the laboratory have not been officially confirmed. It has been reported that relevant Russian authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident.