'Black Death Cover-up?' Scientist Dies in Siberia as Russia's Secrecy Fuels Claims of a Mystery Plague Case

A 28-year-old technician at Siberia’s Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute died after a suspected plague infection, as nearly 200 people were monitored and shifting Russian statements fuelled cover-up fears (Credit: Navy Medicine / Unsplash)

A young laboratory technician at a Siberian institute built to study plague has died of a suspected plague infection, and Russian officials' shifting statements have fuelled accusations of a possible cover-up.

Daria Shipilova, 28, who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, died in the early hours of Friday 2 October 2026, according to regional reporting. Nearly 200 people have been placed under medical observation, a hospital has been quarantined and a criminal case has reportedly been opened.