Plague bacteria Yersinia pestis breaks free of lab in Russia, White House monitoring suspected outbreak after laboratory worker dies: Here is what happened

A major health hazard has broken out in Russia after a laboratory worker died and nearly 200 people were placed under medical observation following suspected plague infection. The White House is monitoring reports of the outbreak after the incident at an anti-plague research facility in Russia’s Irkutsk.

A Trump administration official told Axios that the administration is “aware” of the situation and is monitoring it. The woman, who died and was identified as Daria Shipilova, worked at an anti-plague research facility in Russia's Irkutsk region and broke a test tube containing bacteria samples which was to be used for testing. However, Russian health authorities have not confirmed that she died from plague. The woman was diagnosed with pneumonia, but the form is unknown.

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What happened at the Russian laboratory?

According to local reports, the worker broke a test tube containing the pneumonic plague pathogen on September 25. But the exact pathogen involved has not been confirmed.

Then, she was admitted to a hospital on September 29. She died overnight between October 1 and October 2. Reports have linked her illness to a possible laboratory accident.

Russia's federal consumer protection agency, Rospotrebnadzor, said the woman had pneumonia of unknown origin, CNN reported.

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Why are nearly 200 people being monitored?

Russian authorities took preventive measures after the woman's death. Nearly 200 people who had contact with her were placed under medical observation. Quarantines were also imposed at several medical facilities in the region.

Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said the people being monitored showed no signs of illness. They had also tested negative, according to news reports. Russian authorities described the effectiveness of the situation in the Irkutsk region, Irkutsk and Shelekhov, as stable, according to CNN.

A US State Department spokesperson said the US was monitoring the situation closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The State Department also said many details had not been confirmed. It urged Russian authorities to share accurate information quickly and openly.

The US Department of Health and Human Services told CNN that the CDC was closely monitoring the situation in Russia. HHS said the safety and security of US citizens was its highest priority.

Gennady Onishchenko, a former head of Rospotrebnadzor, said the infection in the Irkutsk region was “most likely not the plague.” He told the Russian state news agency TASS that even if plague were confirmed, he did not expect the disease to spread.

Onishchenko also said colder weather would likely reduce transmission. Alexei Tsydenov, head of neighbouring Buryatia, said the 28-year-old laboratory worker had possibly died from plague. He also said there were no plague outbreaks in Buryatia.

Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev urged people to remain calm.He said an extraordinary meeting of the regional anti-epidemic commission had been held with Russia's chief state doctor. The meeting was held over a suspected case of a particularly dangerous infection.

An aluminum plant near the laboratory also instructed its employees to wear masks as a precaution. Artem Fominikh, director of the Irkutsk Aluminum Plant, urged people to remain calm. He said many rumours and conflicting reports were circulating.

Pneumonia is one kind of plague that is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis. Symptoms can include fever, headache, weakness, breathing problems, chest pain and cough. The World Health Organization says plague can have a high casualty rate. Although, it can be treated with antibiotics. Precautions can also help prevent infections.