Washington, DC — The Trump administration is closely monitoring a suspected case of pneumonic plague in Russia after a 28-year-old laboratory worker died and roughly 200 people were placed under medical observation.
The woman worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia. Russian media reported that she may have been exposed to Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague, after a laboratory accident. Russian health authorities have not confirmed that account and say she died from pneumonia of unknown origin.
The State Department said U.S. officials are monitoring developments with the CDC and other agencies and urged Russia to provide accurate information quickly. The World Health Organization has assessed the public-health risk as low while the investigation continues.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. is prepared to assist Russia if needed. So far, officials have reported no additional deaths or confirmed plague infections connected to the incident.
Pneumonic plague is rare but can be fatal if untreated. Unlike many emerging diseases, however, it is well understood and can generally be treated successfully with antibiotics when caught early.
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