The death of a 28-year-old employee at a plague research institute in Russia’s Irkutsk Oblast has sparked fears of a possible plague outbreak, as reported by CNN. Local media, cited by Euronews, indicate the woman accidentally broke a test tube containing the bacteria that causes the disease while working. However, Russian authorities have not confirmed a plague infection, stating the cause of death was pneumonia of an unknown origin. Officials maintain the sanitary situation in the Irkutsk Oblast region is stable. Despite the official statement, the incident has raised concerns about safety protocols at the research facility. Further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the researcher’s death and to allay public anxieties.