Concern is growing in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, following the death of a laboratory worker involved in plague research. Initial reports from local authorities indicated the woman died of plague, but this information was quickly retracted and official statements regarding the cause of death have since shifted. The incident has sparked fears of infection among residents of the region, leading to increased demand for antibiotics. Expert on Russia, Barbara Włodarczyk, has commented on the unfolding situation, describing it as “something unprecedented.” The changing official narrative fuels anxieties about a potential outbreak and transparency of information. The situation remains fluid as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the lab worker’s death.