The plague controversy, which began after the death of a lab technician in Siberia, Russia, is no longer limited to just one disease. The matter has now reached biosafety, lab leaks and possible bio-weapons. Daria Shipilova, 28, who worked at the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Irkutsk, died of severe pneumonia. After this, about 200 people who came in contact with it were kept under medical observation, i.e. quarantine and precautionary measures were taken in many places.

Some reports also revealed quarantine and security measures in hospitals. Meanwhile, American biosafety expert Kevin Esvelt has questioned Russia’s actions and information-sharing practices. About which he has shared a post on his social media account. Russia’s health monitoring agency says the woman died of pneumonia of unknown cause and no work-related infection has been confirmed.

Questions raised on social media

Kevin Esvelt, a scientist associated with biosafety research at MIT, has raised several questions about this matter on social media. He says that if the case was a simple plague infection, the lab technicians could have been given prophylaxis such as antibiotics and questions such a high level of strictness. He described the reports as unusual in Russia, including the quarantine system of hospitals, the alleged role of security agencies and the use of protective clothing.

What did Kevin Esvelt say in the post?

According to Kevin Esvelt, if Russia has identified the pathogen, why it has not been made public is also a big question. However, Esvelt himself does not say that this event will definitely lead to the spread of the epidemic. He says it could be a misunderstanding or an overreaction.

What questions did Kevin Esvelt raise?

• News of the quarantine in many Russian hospitals raised questions.
• The alleged safety measures were described as different from normal plague infections.
• Russia questioned the non-disclosure of the identity of the pathogen.
• A lab accident and possible source of infection were suspected.
• However, he did not say that this would definitely lead to an epidemic.

Is there really a plague in Russia?

This is the biggest question in this whole matter. So far, according to official Russian information, the woman’s cause of death is pneumonia of unknown causes. Health officials have said the woman’s sample did not confirm any microorganisms linked to her lab work. Contact persons are being monitored and no new plague infections have been confirmed so far.

Lab tests are required to confirm plague. According to the World Health Organization, Yersinia pestis can be identified in samples taken from blood, sputum or swollen lymph nodes. This means that plague cannot be confirmed based solely on pneumonia, quarantine, or lab work.

So why did the question of bio-weapons arise?

Indeed, dangerous pathogens are being worked on at the Anti-Plague Research Institute. For this reason, if an employee dies of a mysterious disease and then safety measures are taken on a large scale, it is natural to raise questions about biosecurity.

But the most important difference here is to understand that having a dangerous pathogen in a lab and having a bio-weapon are two completely different things. Currently available information does not prove that a biological weapon was being developed in Russia or that a weapon was leaked from there.

What was said about the lockdown and pandemic?

According to Esvelt, Russia’s reaction may signal that officials there are seriously concerned about potential infections. But he also clarified that this does not mean that he is over-reacting or that the case is that it cannot easily spread. On the other hand, if the pathogen is different from the plague and spreads more easily, it will cause an epidemic.

Should we be so afraid of the plague?

Plague is a serious disease, especially its pneumonic form. It affects the lungs and can be transmitted to another person through the respiratory particles of an infected person. But an important aspect of this is that plague can be treated with antibiotics and if treated early, the patient can be saved.

That’s why if a person is confirmed to have been exposed to pneumonic plague, health agencies can take steps to monitor them and administer antibiotics as needed. WHO guidelines also mention surveillance of close contacts of infected patients and antibiotic prophylaxis.