I Live in Siberia's "Plague City." Here's the Truth

Overview

An American living in Irkutsk reported that the city appeared calm on October 7, with residents continuing their usual routines despite alarming headlines about a plague outbreak.

Daria Shapilova

The video focuses on Daria Shapilova, a 28-year-old medical biochemist and researcher at Irkutsk’s Anti-Plague Research Institute. The presenter describes her education and work on plague prevention and treatment, emphasizing that the institute is a public-health research center, not a secret weapons laboratory.

According to the presenter, Shapilova was hospitalized in Shelekhov on September 29 and died overnight between October 1 and 2. Her reported official cause of death was pneumonia of unknown origin. The presenter stresses that plague had not been confirmed and that laboratory results were still pending.

More than 200 contacts were reportedly placed under observation or quarantine as a precaution. The presenter said no further cases had been reported and that some people tested positive for COVID-19 or a rhinovirus.

Claims Examined

• A broken test tube caused an infection: The presenter traced this claim to a Telegram post and said Shapilova’s colleagues, her mother, and a federal investigation found no evidence of a laboratory accident. The presenter considered the claim false.
• Shapilova traveled to Buryatia: A Telegram channel reported this, while Buryatia’s regional head said she had not visited and that there were no plague outbreaks there. The presenter described the claim as unconfirmed and possibly false.
• She had recently returned from Thailand: The presenter found no corroboration and labeled the claim unverified.
• A second person died: The presenter said they could not find a source for this report and cited the WHO’s account that Russia had reported no additional cases.

Plague and the Presenter’s Conclusion

Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It still occurs in several parts of the world, including the United States, and can be treated with antibiotics.

The video’s overall message is to distinguish confirmed information from rumors and wait for official test results. The presenter said the situation appeared to be under control.

People Mentioned

• Presenter: An unnamed American living in Irkutsk
• Daria Shapilova
• Pavel Stepanov: Telegram blogger
• Alexey Sidenov: Head of Buryatia