Brighton microbiologist reassures public over plague fears following reported death in Russia

A leading microbiologist from the University of Brighton has reassured the public that there is no reason to panic following reports that a scientist in Russia may have died after contracting plague.

Dr Sarah Pitt, Principal Lecturer at the University of Brighton and President of the Institute of Biomedical Science, says the disease remains rare in many parts of the world and can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

Her comments follow reports of the death of a scientist working in a microbiology research department in Russia, raising concerns about the potential spread of the disease and the safety measures used when handling dangerous bacteria.

Although the circumstances surrounding the reported death have not been confirmed, Dr Pitt says precautionary measures, including isolating people who may have been exposed, are appropriate.

Why are people being isolated?

Reports that people have been placed in isolation following the scientist's death have led to speculation about a possible outbreak.

However, Dr Pitt explained that isolation does not necessarily mean someone has contracted plague or that an outbreak is underway.

She said: “The person involved may simply have contracted pneumonia from another source or from a different bacterium, but because of the nature of her job and the possibility that she had pneumonic plague, it is appropriate to take precautions.

“People who have been exposed should be monitored. Plague is treatable with standard antibiotics and, where appropriate, people who may have been exposed can be given antibiotics as a precaution.”

Dr Pitt also stressed the importance of understanding how the reported exposure may have occurred.

She said: “From my perspective as a microbiologist, I genuinely want to know exactly what happened and how the exposure occurred.

“If someone is working with a dangerous organism, there should be appropriate safety procedures in place, and anyone who may have been exposed should be identified, monitored and considered for appropriate treatment.”

What is plague and how does it spread?

Plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis, the same organism responsible for the Black Death, which killed millions of people during the Middle Ages.

Although commonly associated with history, the disease has never completely disappeared.

Outbreaks still occur in some parts of the world, including Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dr Pitt said: “Plague has never completely gone away. It is a bacterium that has been known about for thousands of years and there are still outbreaks in parts of the world today.

“Unlike COVID, this is not a newly emerging infection. We understand the bacterium, we know how it spreads and, importantly, we have effective antibiotics to treat it.”

The bacteria normally circulate among rodents and are most commonly transmitted to humans through infected fleas.

People can also become infected through contact with infected animals.

Dr Pitt explained: “The most common way for humans to become infected is through the bite of a flea carrying the bacteria. People can also become infected by handling an infected rodent.

“People with plague are not infectious to others unless they develop pneumonic plague, the form of the disease that affects the lungs. In this case, the infection can be passed to others through coughing.

“Respiratory transmission is not the usual route of plague infection. While pneumonic plague can result in some transmission to people nearby, it is not normally a situation where the disease would infect huge numbers of people.”

What are the symptoms of plague?

Symptoms of plague can develop rapidly, sometimes within 24 hours of infection, although the incubation period is generally less than a week.

Early symptoms can include fever, headaches, tiredness, nausea and vomiting.

The most common form, bubonic plague, causes painful swelling of the lymph glands, usually around the neck, armpits or groin.

In more serious cases, the infection can spread into the bloodstream, causing septicaemic plague, or affect the lungs, resulting in pneumonic plague.

Dr Pitt said: “People with this form can experience difficulty breathing, chest pain and coughing, sometimes coughing up blood.

“It is this pneumonic form that can spread directly between people through close contact and coughing.”

Pneumonic plague is particularly serious because of its ability to spread between people, making rapid diagnosis and treatment essential.

Is plague treatable?

Unlike during the Black Death, when there were no effective treatments, modern medicine has made plague a treatable bacterial infection.

Doctors can use laboratory tests to identify the bacteria in samples taken from the blood, lungs or swollen lymph glands.

Antibiotics are used to treat the infection, while those who have been in close contact with an infected person may also receive preventative treatment.

Dr Pitt said: “Given that we have experience of dealing with outbreaks, good diagnostic tests and effective antibiotics, it should be possible to stop the bacteria spreading too far.”

The bacterium is classified as a Hazard Group 3 biological agent, meaning it can cause serious disease and requires specialist safety procedures when handled in laboratories.

These include restricted access, protective equipment and containment systems designed to prevent accidental exposure.

Should people in Sussex be concerned?

Despite the reported incident in Russia, Dr Pitt says there is no evidence from the information available that the wider British public faces an immediate threat.

She stressed that plague is a well-understood infection, with established methods for diagnosing, treating and controlling outbreaks.

The University of Brighton microbiologist concluded: “There is no reason for people in Britain to assume that this reported case means plague poses an immediate risk to the wider public.”

Her message is that while any suspected laboratory exposure should be investigated thoroughly, the reported death should not be taken as evidence that a wider outbreak is developing.

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