In the Russian province of Irkutsk, preventive measures were taken due to an employee at a plague prevention institute suffering from 'unknown cause pneumonia'. The local government announced on the 8th that all isolation measures have been lifted and health and epidemic prevention work has returned to normal.
According to media reports from the Russian 'Messenger' and RNS, the Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Public Guardianship issued a notice on July 7 stating that Irkutsk Oblast previously reported one case of 'undetermined cause pneumonia'. Currently, the local health and epidemic prevention situation is stable, and there is no risk of related epidemics. A series of preventive measures in the state capital Irkutsk are being finalized.
This bureau states that as of July 7th, over 90% of the exposed individuals have completed their medical observation and no health anomalies related to infectious diseases were found. Nearly 5000 laboratory test results showed no presence of hazardous pathogens. No accidents involving staff exposure to pathogenic microorganisms were found during the biosafety inspection conducted by the Erkuitzk Rodent Plague Research Institute.
On the 8th, the agency further announced that all preventive measures have been completed, and all contacts have ended their medical observation.
Ilikovsk State Governor Kobzev posted a video speech on social media on the 8th, stating that the Russian Federal Agency for Consumer Rights Protection and Public Interest Monitoring, along with expert committees, have completed all preventive measures.
Isolation measures have been lifted, and we are resuming normal operations. Koubzeff said that the situation in the healthcare and epidemic prevention of the capital city Iel’kuzsk Oblast, as well as its neighbouring Shirelehof, is currently stable.
Previously, news spread on Russian social media stating that a staff member from the Siberian and Far East Institute for Plague Prevention in Irkutsk died of plague infection, drawing attention from the public.
The Russian Federal Agency for Consumer Rights Protection and Public Interest Supervision issued a notice on the 6th, stating that a sick staff member of the institute was diagnosed with 'unknown cause pneumonia'. Relevant departments conducted expanded laboratory tests on the patient's samples and found no microorganisms related to his professional activities.
The Russian side subsequently conducted an inspection of the institute's biosecurity conditions. Kobzev stated on the 8th that the inspection confirmed that no accidents occurred during the institute staff's exposure to pathogenic microorganisms, and that the relevant biosecurity requirements were met. The ill person had previously been vaccinated against the dangerous infectious diseases involved in their work and possessed corresponding immunity.
The Russian Federal Agency for Consumer Rights Protection and Public Interest Supervision also denied on the 8th any reports regarding a second case of illness among those who had contact with the staff of that institute, stating that such information was not true.
