There are multiple reports coming out of an incident at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute in Russia. Most unofficial accounts cite a test tube breaking, resulting in the death of a researcher/technician. The unofficial accounts cite pneumonic plague, which is a very nasty beast.
The official accounts now say she died of an unknown/sudden pneumonia (cough) and that there was no containment breach. A travel prohibition issued by a nearby area has been rescinded, there are conflicting statements and actions, and it appears that the locals are rather clearly indicating who and what they believe by their actions.
There are also some panicked calls for suspending travel to/from Russia. Hate to tell you, but at this point even if it were a major containment breach such a ban is not going to do a lot of good. At this point you would likely be into tertiary spread — containment really only works in this day and age if immediate and complete.
Quick reaction: this is NOT Capt. Trips and you don’t need to start playing “Don’t Fear The Reaper” while re-watching a certain old movie on the web. That said, this is likely not a nothingburger either. Watching the official reaction to whatever did happen tells you something did happen and it is fairly serious. How serious is the question as right now this looks to be a regional problem; but, with global travel it may not stay a regional problem. Don’t expect openness and honesty out of any government in regards this incident.
Yet another heads-up and all of us should keep an eye out for unusual infection patterns, especially of anything “pneumonia” related. Though, since that is the current cause, it may get changed to flu/flu-like/respiratory/etc.
So, Be Prepared. Keep your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.
Update I: Let me just say I agree with and share the sentiments of Instapundit and VodkaPundit. I will note that amoxicillin and doxycycline work well against bacterial pneumonia and might be easier to get than Gentamicin and fluoroquinolones which are used to treat plague in the U.S.
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