US President Donald Trump said he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the death of a laboratory worker at a plague research center in Siberia, adding he would “probably” report back on Thursday. The Kremlin, however, said no phone call had been scheduled.
Conflicting signals and a push for details
“So far we are in very deep discussions,” Trump told reporters, saying he expected to brief “probably” on Thursday, according to the BBC’s account. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no call was on the calendar. The BBC also reports the United States issued a formal diplomatic message requesting additional information; Peskov said he was not aware of such a request.
Russia: investigation under way, no epidemic risk
Russian officials say they are investigating the 28-year-old’s death and have not confirmed that the suspected disease is pneumonic plague. Authorities insist “there are no epidemic risks for the population,” according to Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s health watchdog.
Rospotrebnadzor said more than 90% of identified contacts had completed medical observation with “no health disorders associated with infectious pathology” detected. In an earlier statement, it said the woman died of “pneumonia of an undetermined etiology” and that testing found “no microorganisms related to her professional activities.”
What’s known about the case
Reports first emerged of almost 200 people placed under observation in the Irkutsk region following the death. The worker has been named in Russian media as Darya Shipilova. Unconfirmed reports suggested she became ill after a test tube containing a pathogen broke at the Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East, or after a field trip to an area where plague circulates in wild rodents. After initial statements, a pro-government outlet deleted several posts referencing a possible plague case, and authorities in the town of Baikalsk deleted a message advising against travel to Shelekhov, the BBC reports.
WHO calls for transparency
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Timely, complete and transparent information sharing under the International Health Regulations is essential to clarify conflicting reports and enable an accurate assessment of potential public health risks.” Peskov said Russia’s reporting to WHO followed standard practice and accused media of spreading “false information.”
US signals readiness to assist
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States had “measures” available to help Russia if the situation proved more serious than claimed, according to the BBC.
The disease in question
The suspected illness—pneumonic plague—has a short incubation period and can be fatal without early diagnosis and treatment, according to WHO guidance cited by the BBC. Infection can occur via infected flea bites, contact with contaminated materials or fluids, or inhalation of respiratory particles. The plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, is found among rodents such as marmots in the region. The Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East was founded following an outbreak in the 1920s.
