Russia investigates death at Siberian plague lab as U.S. monitors case

Russian authorities have quarantined a hospital and placed contacts under medical observation after the death of a 28yearold employee at a Siberian plague research institute raised concerns about a possible pneumonic plague case. The worker, Darya Shipilova, was employed at the Irkutsk AntiPlague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East. Russian health officials said testing has not found evidence that her illness was caused by pathogens linked to her work, but they have not publicly identified the cause of death. The case has drawn attention in the United States, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the government is monitoring the situation closely. Reuters reported that all known contacts had been traced and placed under supervision, while Russian officials said no additional cases have been detected among institute staff. Officials in Russia and neighboring countries have also taken precautionary steps as the investigation continues.