Plague case in Siberia: what we know and what we should know
In Focus by The Hindu

Plague case in Siberia: what we know and what we should know

B2Upper-intermediateOctober 16, 202629 min
  • Interview
  • Health

This month, a word that has not been in the news for decades perhaps, suddenly erupted: the death of a lab worker in Siberia, sparked concerns, rumours online and theories as to what really happened, given that official information coming out was limited. The worker, Darya Shiplova, who worked at a plague research institute in Siberia, is believed to have died of pneumonic plague. Russia subsequently quarantined dozens of people but said there was no risk of an epidemic, while a WHO official, meanwhile, called for the country to provide more information. But what is plague and...

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given that official information was limited. The worker, Daria Shiplova, who worked at

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Russia has subsequently quarantined thousands of people but said there was no risk of an

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0:00

This is In Focus, the Hindu's current affairs podcast. given that official information was limited. The worker, Daria Shiplova, who worked at a plague research institute in Siberia, is believed to have died of pneumonia plague. Russia has subsequently quarantined thousands of people but said there was no risk of an

0:45

epidemic, while a WHO official called for the country to provide more information. But what is plague and why is it that it has been more or less forgotten? What was India's schist with plague in the 1890s and then again in Surat in 1994. How infectious is it and how is it treated?

1:04

Is there really a risk of a plague breakout? We discuss these issues and more with Dr. Rajeev Dasgupta, Head, Center for Social Medicine and Community Health at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Hello and welcome to the Hindu's In Focus Podcast, Dr. Rajeev Dasgupta.

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