Moscow: (RightNow) Concerns of a deadly plague outbreak are rising in Russia’s Siberia province after a laboratory worker died from the disease. The woman, aged 27 or 28, was researching the plague when a test tube broke in her hand.

According to reports, the woman fell ill due to the plague bacteria in the test tube and died on the sixth day of hospitalization. The incident occurred in Irkutsk, where 200 people who came into contact with the woman are now quarantined.

Russian authorities state that the quarantined individuals are in good health and undergo daily blood tests. Among them, 2 have tested positive for coronavirus and 2 for rhinovirus, but none have been found to be infected with the plague.

This incident is significant as the World Health Organization notes that the plague has historically caused significant harm to humanity. In the 14th century, it was known as the ‘Black Death,’ resulting in over 50 million deaths in Europe.

It is important to note that pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs, is the deadliest form of the disease. It can occur when plague bacteria spread to the lungs or when a person inhales infected respiratory droplets from an infected individual.