Russia accused of concealing plague leak after researcher’s death

Russian authorities have been accused of covering up a suspected plague laboratory leak after a 28-year-old researcher died in Siberia.

According to The Telegraph, Darya Shipilova worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute and reportedly became infected after accidentally breaking a test tube containing bacteria linked to pneumonic plague.

Nearly 200 contacts were reportedly placed under medical observation following her death.

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former commanding officer of Britain’s Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, accused Russian authorities of having “clammed up”.

“We should be worried [about what’s happened in Russia] because plague has a long history of causing mayhem,” he said.

Russian authorities, however, said Shipilova died from “pneumonia of undetermined etiology” and tests detected no microorganisms connected to her work.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged people to rely on official statements rather than “rumours and speculations”.

Officials said none of Shipilova’s contacts had developed symptoms.