Self-Proclaimed 'Prophet of Doom' Warned of Fast-Spreading Lung Pandemic Before Russian Lab Worker Died

British psychic Craig Hamilton-Parker said in a video published on 24 September that he believed a future pandemic could involve a bacterial illness affecting the chest and lungs. The remarks have drawn renewed attention after Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old laboratory technician at Russia's Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, died following a severe pneumonia illness.

Russian authorities have not confirmed that Shipilova had plague or that a laboratory accident occurred. Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's consumer and public-health watchdog, said she died from pneumonia of unknown aetiology and that testing had found no microorganisms linked to her professional work. The agency also said it had found no evidence of an accident involving pathogenic microorganisms at the institute.

Hamilton-Parker's Warning

In the 24 September video, Hamilton-Parker described what he said was a warning about another future pandemic. He said two Tibetan monks had unexpectedly visited him and told him that a new global health crisis was approaching.

Hamilton-Parker said he believed the illness would differ from Covid-19, would be biological in nature and could affect the chest and lungs. He described it as bacterial and said he believed it could be difficult to control.

He also said he thought treatments could eventually be developed, including with help from artificial intelligence. His statements were presented as psychic impressions and predictions, rather than medical or scientific assessments.

The video did not identify Russia, Siberia, the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, plague, a laboratory accident or Shipilova. Hamilton-Parker's remarks therefore do not establish that he predicted the circumstances surrounding her death.

Death of Darya Shipilova

Shipilova was admitted to hospital in Shelekhov on 29 September with severe pneumonia and died in the early hours of 2 October.

She worked as a laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, which studies infectious diseases including plague. Her death prompted concerns because of her work at the facility and reports that she may have been exposed to bacteria while handling laboratory material.

Regional outlet Lyudi Baikala reported that Shipilova told medical personnel she had broken a test tube containing live bacteria. Other reports said the alleged incident occurred on 25 September.

Those claims have not been independently confirmed. Rospotrebnadzor said expanded testing found no microorganisms associated with Shipilova's professional activities and that there was no evidence of a pathogen-related accident at the institute.

Quarantine Measures and Plague Concerns

Authorities introduced precautionary measures after Shipilova's death. Dozens of people who had contact with her were placed under medical observation, while staff at the institute and several medical facilities faced quarantine restrictions.

The measures did not amount to confirmation of an outbreak. Officials said the epidemiological situation remained stable, and Russian authorities have not confirmed that Shipilova had pneumonic plague.

Pneumonic plague is the lung form of infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It can spread between people through respiratory droplets and can progress rapidly without treatment. Antibiotics can be effective when administered promptly.

Those characteristics explain why reports of a possible plague-related death attracted concern. However, they do not establish the cause of Shipilova's illness or show that any infection spread beyond her.

US Response

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on 5 October that Washington was monitoring developments in Russia. He described the reports as a matter requiring attention rather than alarm.

President Donald Trump separately said the United States was prepared to offer Russia assistance if necessary.

For now, the confirmed facts remain limited: Shipilova died after developing pneumonia of unknown cause, Russian authorities have not confirmed plague or a laboratory accident, and no outbreak has been officially declared.

Hamilton-Parker's video preceded her death, but it did not identify the location, disease or events involved. The timing alone does not demonstrate that his prediction referred to Shipilova's case.