IrkutskA laboratory worker died of an unspecified form of plague Thursday.
Nearly 200 people are under medical observation, regional authorities said, and public events in Irkutsk are cancelled.
Reports say the anti-plague institute employee broke a test tube of live bacteria while sampling and was hospitalised Tuesday with severe pneumonia.
Irkutsk governor Igor Kobzev says all identified contacts have tested negative, and an investigation is under way.
Sources: EXPRESS