A plague outbreak in Shelekhov, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, has been linked to a laboratory accident at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute. A female employee reportedly broke a vial containing pathogens and left the laboratory, later being diagnosed with pulmonary plague. She subsequently died, and 189 people who had contact with her have been hospitalized for observation.

The infected individual was reportedly working with plague, cholera, brucellosis, tularemia, anthrax, and arbovirus infections. Shelekhov has been placed under quarantine, with individuals seen in protective gear. Federal Security Service (FSB) and Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) units are reportedly escorting ambulances. Anna Popova, head of Rospotrebnadzor, has arrived to lead an emergency headquarters. A criminal case has been opened for violating sanitary-epidemiological rules.