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Nearly 200 people under observation after Irkutsk lab worker dies from plague

212 points · 187 comments · ericmay

  1. hn_throwaway_99 · · focus · HN ↗
    > The woman was identified as Daria Sh., a 27- or 28-year-old employee of the Irkutsk anti-plague institute, by the exiled news outlet Lyudi Baikala (People of Baikal) and pro-Kremlin broadcaster REN TV.

    > She reportedly told medical staff that she had accidentally broken a test tube containing live bacteria while collecting samples for testing.

    This is just weird. Plague is easily treated if antibiotics are given right away. I'm shocked that an anti-plague institute wouldn't have detailed and proactive plans in case of mishaps. Obviously I think it's likely that there is more to it than what's reported in the article, but I would find it truly baffling if within 60 seconds of her breaking that test tube that protocols weren't initiated to protect her, her colleagues and the community.

    Of course, Russia...

    1. mrkstu · · focus · HN ↗
      I'm assuming if its a bio-lab that its a gain of function version that may be immune to conventional antibiotics.

      Actually went to a scout camp as a teenager (in the 80s) and one of our scouts got the plauge. Took a long while for the hospital to identify it and get him on heavy antibiotics because no one had seen it in real life before.

      1. mycall · · focus · HN ↗
        Hopefully long while is under 24 hours like this plague is.
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