Igor Kobzev

Force in Play

As of October 2026: Overseeing the regional response

Darya Shipilova, 28, died October 2 at a hospital in Shelekhov after falling ill at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute. Russia told the World Health Organization on October 6 that no plague or other high-threat pathogen was found in her or in her contacts. On October 7, the country's health regulator said it was winding down precautionary measures and that 90% of about 200 people initially quarantined had been released.

Updated Oct 10