The Kremlin spokesman said most media reports about the situation were false. Rospotrebnadzor said tests found no microorganisms linked to the work of an employee at the Irkutsk anti-plague institute.
On October 7, Dmitry Peskov was asked about reports that a second employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute had allegedly been diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown origin. He urged journalists to rely on statements from Rospotrebnadzor, its head Anna Popova and agency representatives.
Irkutsk Region Governor Igor Kobzev had earlier reported a dangerous infectious illness in the region and said anti-epidemic measures were under way. A special meeting of the regional sanitary and anti-epidemic commission was also held with Popova taking part.
Rospotrebnadzor said tests of the ill employee found no microorganisms associated with her professional work. Checks of people who had contact with her showed no health changes linked to infectious disease, the agency said. It described the region's sanitary and epidemiological situation as stable.