00:00A health alert is unfolding in Siberia after a laboratory technician linked to a specialized
00:06anti-plague research facility died following pneumonia. Here's what happened. The woman has
00:12been identified as Daria Shipilova, a laboratory technician at the Anti-Plague Institute. Reports
00:17said that she died after developing pneumonia with a suspected dangerous infection now at the
00:23center of the investigation. But there is an important caveat over there. Plague has not
00:29been confirmed by the Russian authorities. Authorities have nevertheless moved very
00:34quickly to contain any possible risk. What is the risk? And what is the fallout? Nearly 200 people
00:40have been quarantined with identified contacts placed under medical supervision. Three hospitals
00:45in the region have been sort of implemented with faced quarantine measures as well. The people
00:51under observation have reportedly tested negative and shown no symptom at least so far. An aluminium
00:57implant near the laboratory has also been asked has been asking its employees to wear masks as a
01:03precaution. And Moscow has sent senior health officials to the region. The Russian chief sanitary
01:10doctor Anna Popova travelled to the region and held an emergency meeting. That's how alarming it was.
01:16But what exactly caused Shipilova's illness remains unclear. The governor of the neighbouring region said
01:24that the woman had died possibly from the plague. But the Russian health watch talk has not confirmed
01:29that and the former head of the agency has reportedly said the infection was most likely not that at all.
01:35Now adding to the question is a reported incident involving a broken test tube at the research facility.
01:41So what would sort of, you know, pneumonomic plague really mean if confirmed and why is this becoming such a
01:50disease? This is a form of plague caused by a bacteria. Unlike the bubonic plague, it affects the lungs.
01:58It can spread into people through respiratory droplets. Symptoms can include fever, headache, weakness,
02:04breathing difficulty, chest pain, coughing, in severe cases, coughing up blood or watery mucus as well.
02:11The disease can be serious and potentially fatal if untreated. But early treatment with appropriate
02:17antibiotics can be effective. Now, for now, the key fact remains that Russia has not confirmed the
02:23outbreak and authorities are investigating the cause of death. But it is enough for the Russian
02:29authorities to send in their chief sanitation officer there and also for the US to be watching over the
02:37situation. The WHO, however, has not made any remarks, at least so far.
