What happened
A recent case of a laboratory worker falling ill and dying in Russia's Irkutsk region has sparked concern about public health. The worker was from a plague research institute, and dozens of people have been placed in quarantine. However, Estonian health officials say the risk level for Estonia has not increased.
According to Juta Varjas, head of service in the Health Board's infectious disease epidemiology department, all forms of plague can be treated with antibiotics, which are available in Estonia. Varjas stated that the threat level has not increased, not only in Estonia but also in neighboring countries, based on the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control's risk analysis.
Varjas explained that plague has three types: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic. While the disease can be deadly without timely treatment, the risk of infection for Estonia's residents is very low. Estonia has epidemic response plans in place and knows how to act in case of such a disease.
