India, Oct. 5 -- A 28-year-old laboratory technician at an anti-plague research institute in Russia's Siberian region of Irkutsk has died after developing severe pneumonia, triggering concern over a possible pneumonic plague infection.

The woman, identified in reports as Darya Shipilova, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov. Nearly 200 people who may have come into contact with her have been placed under medical observation, according to reports.

However, Russian health authorities have not confirmed that plague caused her death. The official description is pneumonia of unknown aetiology, while reports of a possible laboratory accident remain unverified.

Siberian Plague News: Who Was Darya Shipilova?

Darya...