Understand
US urges Russia to share information following plague lab worker's death
Overview
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Russia to release more information regarding the death of a 28-year-old lab worker at a plague research centre in Irkutsk, Siberia. Russian health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor stated the worker died of pneumonia of an undetermined etiology and reported that all contacts tested negative for pneumonic plague. The incident has prompted international attention and discussions on mutual assistance between the US and Russia, while experts note that pneumonic plague remains treatable with antibiotics.
Key points
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Russia to share more information on the death of a lab worker at an anti-plague institute in Siberia.
- Russian health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor stated that the 28-year-old worker died of pneumonia of an undetermined etiology.
- Officials reported that nearly 200 people placed under observation after coming into contact with the victim all tested negative for pneumonic plague.
- Unconfirmed reports had speculated the worker fell ill after breaking a test tube or following a field trip, but Russian officials played down these claims.
- The World Health Organization noted that Russia reported no cases of the dangerous disease in Irkutsk and that monitored contacts showed no symptoms.
- US President Donald Trump stated the US was looking closely at the case, with various agencies coordinating a response.