US Seeks Information From Russia Over Reported Plague Death
Washington presses Moscow for details after laboratory technician dies in Siberia, while Russia says tests found no evidence of plague
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The United States has formally asked Russia for additional information about the reported death of a laboratory technician at a plague research institute in Siberia, as Washington and the World Health Organization called for greater transparency over conflicting reports surrounding the case.
A US State Department spokesperson said Tuesday that Washington had “officially requested additional information from the Russian government” and was also communicating with other countries to share information.
The request was delivered through a confidential diplomatic communication known as a demarche, according to a source familiar with the matter.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a trip to Iceland, urged Moscow to provide more information about the incident.
“We encourage Russia to be transparent and share more information with the world so that all of us could react accordingly and appropriately,” Rubio said.
US President Donald Trump also said he was preparing to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the situation.
“I have a call scheduled, yes,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that the conversation would take place “very soon.”
Asked about US intelligence assessments, Trump said Washington was engaged in “very deep discussions” and could provide more information the following day.
Russia disputes plague reports
The controversy followed reports that a 28-year-old laboratory technician, identified by Russian media as Darya Shipilova, died after reportedly becoming infected with pneumonic plague at a research facility in the Irkutsk region.
People of Baikal reported that Shipilova may have contracted the disease following a broken test tube, while other media reports suggested her death could have been connected to a laboratory accident.
The outlet also reported that as many as 200 people who may have come into contact with her were placed under quarantine.
Russian authorities have rejected those reports and said there is no confirmed case of plague in Irkutsk.
Russia’s consumer and health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, denied the authenticity of an online document claiming that special anti-plague measures had been introduced.
“We wish to clarify that the document and information in question do not originate from official sources and are untrue,” the watchdog said on Telegram.
Russian officials said postmortem testing had not detected plague.
Irkutsk Regional Governor Igor Kobzev said Monday that an inspection by Rospotrebnadzor had established that the woman died of pneumonia, while the precise cause remained “undetermined.”
“No microorganisms linked to the young woman's professional work were found in her biological samples,” Kobzev said, adding that no other employees at the institute had sought medical treatment following her death.
The World Health Organization said Tuesday that information provided by Russia indicated that “no case of this dangerous disease has been recorded in the city of Irkutsk.”
However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus later said the organization had requested additional information from Moscow concerning the pneumonia case and other details surrounding the incident.
“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,” Tedros wrote on X.
Concerns over potential health risks
Plague is a bacterial disease that occurs in several forms. Pneumonic plague is the most contagious form and can spread through respiratory droplets, while bubonic plague is generally transmitted through infected fleas.
According to the WHO, pneumonic plague can cause severe lung disease and may be fatal if treatment is not provided promptly.
Trump said Monday that the United States was prepared to assist Russia if necessary.
Rospotrebnadzor responded Tuesday by saying Russia was also prepared to help the United States address infectious disease outbreaks in the country.
The Russian watchdog pointed to what it described as a “significantly worsened” measles situation in three US states and referred to a fatal plague case recorded in New Mexico in June.
An international conference on plague and other infectious diseases is scheduled to take place in Irkutsk on Oct. 21-22. Organizers have said the event is unrelated to the recent death of an employee at the anti-plague institute.