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US monitoring situation closely after Russian plague researcher dies in Siberia
Overview
The United States is closely monitoring the case of a Russian lab technician who died at a plague research centre in Siberia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated there was concern the incident could lead to the spread of pneumonic plague, though there is currently no cause for alarm. Russian authorities and watchdogs reported the official cause of death as pneumonia of undetermined etiology, with biological safety teams finding no emergency situation at the Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East in Irkutsk.
Key points
- A Russian lab technician died at a plague research centre in Siberia, prompting close monitoring by the US.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated there is concern over potential internal spread, though it is not a cause for alarm.
- Irkutsk's governor announced the cause of death as pneumonia of undetermined etiology, noting no micro-organisms linked to her work were found in biological samples.
- Russia's consumer and health watchdog inspected the Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East and found no emergency situation.
- Russian media reported that nearly 200 people who had contact with the deceased woman were placed under medical observation as a precaution.