Ep 40: Plague Panic: Inside Russia's Plague Scare and the Science of Yersinia pestis

In this episode of *Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast*, we investigate the mysterious death at Russia's Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, examine what authorities have confirmed, and explore the science, transmission, and history of pneumonic plague. We also discuss whether Jessica is worried and how AI will impact the world's next public health emergency. Citations: Russia plague scare: Lab worker dies after Siberia incident, US calls for answers |news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site for latest headlines Growth of the Anti-Plague System during the Soviet Period https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/irkutsk-knipchi.htm IrkutskAntiplague Research Institute of Siberia and Far East awarded by the Labour RedBanner Yersinia pestis:the Natural History of Plague - PMC Yersiniapestis: Plague, Its Pathogenesis, and Laboratory Diagnosis — Microbe Online SiberianAnti-Plague Institute Staff Isolated After Worker's Death EpidemiologicDeterminants for Modeling Pneumonic Plague Outbreaks - Volume 10, Number4—April 2004 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC Plagueas a Biological Weapon: Medical and Public Health Management | InfectiousDiseases | JAMA | JAMA Network TheManchurian pandemic of pneumonic plague (1910–1911) - PMC Gani R, Leach S. Epidemiologic Determinants for ModelingPneumonic Plague Outbreaks. *Emerging Infectious Diseases*.2004;10(4):608-614. doi:10.3201/eid1004.030509. Recommendedantibiotic treatment for plague HumanPlague Transmission from person to person DeathsAssociated with Pneumonic Plague, 1946–2017 - Volume 26, Number 10—October 2020- Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC Legal: This episode is intended for educational, informational, and journalistic purposes. Discussion of the reported incident at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute is based on publicly available reporting and information available at the time of recording. Allegations concerning a laboratory accident, potential exposure to *Yersinia pestis*, and the cause of the laboratory worker's death have not been independently verified. Russian authorities have denied that a laboratory accident occurred. Any discussion of hypothetical scenarios, public health risks, or potential outcomes should not be interpreted as confirmation that such events occurred. Opinions and scientific interpretations expressed in this episode are those of the host and do not represent the official positions of any current or former affiliated organizations.