Plague in Siberia: Lab worker dies after test-tube accident; 200 contacts monitored

In a tragic incident in Irkutsk, Russia, a laboratory worker died after an accidental exposure to live plague bacteria from a broken test tube. Nearly 200 individuals potentially exposed to her are undergoing medical monitoring. Hospital reports revealed she exhibited severe pneumonia-like symptoms prior to her death. Fortunately, all assessed contacts have tested negative for the plague, alleviating some concern among health officials.