Russia: Russia plays down reports of plague in Siberia

Authorities downplayed reports of the death of a laboratory worker following a suspected plague infection in Siberia. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov called on journalists to “rely on the official statements” of the Russian consumer and health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor “instead of (…) rumors and speculation.”

According to authorities, a woman died last week in the Russian region of Irkutsk on Lake Baikal. The online medium People from Baikal reported that the 28-year-old worked for the Irkutsk Plague Control Institute. She may have been infected with the pneumonic plague pathogen through a broken test tube. Up to 200 people with whom the deceased was in contact were temporarily quarantined.

Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobsev said that the woman's autopsy found no signs of the disease. During an investigation in the region, a special commission made up of experts determined that "the cause of death was pneumonia of unknown origin." According to the health authority, no cases of plague were found among the people who had contact with the woman.

USA offers help to Russia

According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the USA is “monitoring” the situation. "Of course there is very limited travel between the USA and Russia, but as with everything else: if something like this gets out, it could spread quickly," said Rubio. "I don't think this is a reason for alarm, but it is a reason to be vigilant and keep an eye on the matter." US President Donald Trump offered Russia help.