AUSTIN, Texas - TelAve -- MIRA Safety® is seeing a rise in demand for respiratory protection, including gas masks and particle filters, following reports of a suspected pneumonic plague case in Siberia. The company, which supplies CBRN protection and protective equipment to civilians and professionals in more than 170 countries, says the current buying pattern closely resembles the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to TIME, a laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia died last week. Local media reported suspected pneumonic plague, while regional officials attributed the death to pneumonia of undetermined origin. Dozens of contacts have been quarantined, and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring the situation.

"The buying behavior we're seeing right now looks a lot like the first days of COVID," said Roman Zrazhevskiy, Founder and CEO of MIRA Safety. "There is still a lot we don't know, especially how easily it could spread. But 'plague' is a word with real psychological weight. People immediately connect it with some of the deadliest outbreaks in human history, and that triggers a strong emotional reaction."

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Unconfirmed reports linking the case to a laboratory incident have added to public concern. "When 'plague,' 'Russia' and 'lab leak' start showing up in the same headlines, it's understandable that people's imaginations take off," Zrazhevskiy said.

To keep up with demand, MIRA Safety is increasing fulfillment capacity and prioritizing restocks of high-demand products. As the only U.S. manufacturer of protective equipment for children, including gas masks, kids' MOPP suits and hazmat suits, MIRA Safety is in a unique position to protect entire households. For biological threats, it is recommended:

• MD-2 Children's Gas Mask: a full-face respirator sized for young children.
• ParticleMax P3 Filter: a P3-rated particle filter built for biological and particulate threats, including respiratory droplets.
• CM-6M Full-Face Gas Mask: a professional-grade full-face CBRN mask for adults.

MIRA Safety has also published a free guide, Pneumonic Plague vs. Bubonic Plague, explaining symptoms, transmission and protection; and is also developing an interactive biological simulator, building on its existing nuclear blast simulator, to help families and organizations understand risks and plan their response before an emergency.

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"We hope this proves to be overblown and that the outbreak is contained," Zrazhevskiy said. "Preparedness means being ready before you know how serious a situation will get. MIRA is ready to supply respiratory protection for everyone."

Public health agencies currently consider the risk to the general public low. MIRA Safety encourages consumers to follow guidance from the CDC and the WHO as the situation develops.