Stories
Trump Offers US Help As Russia Dismisses Reports Of Laboratory Plague Outbreak
- •US President Donald Trump stated that Washington is closely monitoring reports of a possible plague case in Russia and offered American assistance.
- •Reports emerged claiming a 28-year-old laboratory worker, Darya Shipilova, died of pneumonic plague following a suspected accident in Siberia.
- •Russian officials strongly disputed the plague diagnosis, stating she died of pneumonia of undetermined aetiology with no dangerous microorganisms found.
- •Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged the public to rely on official statements rather than rumors and speculations.
- •US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Washington is watching the situation closely but currently sees no cause for alarm.
Key Questions Answered
President Trump stated at the White House that Washington was looking at reports of a possible plague case in Russia very strongly and offered American assistance, saying they would help as much as they can.
Russian officials disputed the reports, with Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev stating that an investigation concluded the laboratory worker died from pneumonia of undetermined aetiology rather than plague. Rospotrebnadzor found no microorganisms linked to her work, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged reliance on official statements.
Concerns were triggered by reports from the outlet People of Baikal and other sources suggesting a 28-year-old laboratory worker named Darya Shipilova contracted pneumonic plague from a broken test tube, with up to 200 people reportedly placed under quarantine.
