U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin over a reported plague death at a Siberian lab, as U.S. and WHO demand transparency. Russian authorities have imposed quarantines and medical observations at an anti-plague institute, with 200 people under scrutiny. The death of a lab worker, linked to a possible lab accident, has raised concerns about potential public health risks.
Russian officials have denied claims of a plague outbreak, stating the worker died of pneumonia with an undetermined cause. The Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, known for studying plague and former biological weapons research, has been under scrutiny. The worker's death has led to heightened security measures at the facility, with six-foot fences and controlled access.
The U.S. and WHO have called for transparency, with the State Department warning Russia of international health obligations. The World Health Organization has assessed the risk as moderate to low, but continues to monitor the situation. Trump’s planned call with Putin underscores U.S. concerns over the incident and the need for clear information from Moscow.
Russian officials have denied the existence of a plague outbreak, stating no cases have been recorded in Irkutsk. They have also denied the authenticity of a document suggesting quarantine measures, claiming it is not from official sources.