Russian Pneumonia Plague Situation Report #1

Russian Pneumonia Plague SitRep 1.pdf

Download PDF • 172KB

Highlights:  

·       One laboratory worker in Irkutsk, Russia who was working at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East is suspected to have died from pneumonic plague:

o   At this time, limited information is available on the reported death and who else may have become infected.

o   As of October 6^th, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is not aware of any secondary cases and there is currently no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

o   The ECDC is closely monitoring the situation.

·       Biothreats Emergence, Analytics & Communications Network (BEACON) has reported the following as of October 6^th:

o   Preventive measures are underway in Irkutsk and the surrounding region, under the supervision of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor).

o   The Rospotrebnadzor reported on October 4^th that the initial patient was infected with a pneumonia of undetermined etiology.

o   The initial public health response has included the following actions:

ü  Hospitalization and medical observation of nearly 200 potential contacts.

ü  Reported hospital-level containment measures, being taken in the area.

ü  The Russia's chief sanitary officer traveled to Irkutsk to attend an emergency meeting of the regional Sanitary and Anti-Epidemic Commission.

·       Pneumonic plague is a serious infectious disease. This disease is transmitted through cough droplets and requires close and prolonged contact with an infected person who is already showing symptoms.

·       United States Response:

o   The U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) is aware of the situation and is working with other Federal departments to assess the situation and its potential impact.

o   The U.S. State Department’s Level 4 Travel Advisory (Do Not Travel) for Russia remains in place and states U.S. citizens currently in Russia should depart immediately. 

Sources:

·       U.S. Embassy Health Alert, Oct 6 

·       European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Bluesky Page 

·       WHO Director-General Twitter Page

·       BEACON Twitter Page  

·       CDC Twitter Page 

Resources

Factsheet for health professionals on plague

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/plague/facts