Lucrezia Ciotti Tensions are rising between the United States and Russia following the case of the researcher who died in Siberia and the alleged plague scare . Donald Trump has announced an imminent phone call with Vladimir Putin , while Washington is asking Moscow for more information on the incident. Meanwhile, the WHO is urging people to avoid alarmism and currently assesses the risk to the public as low.
Plague alert in Siberia, quarantine, and laboratory concerns: Trump meets with Putin
The alarm over the suspected plague in Siberia is prompting Washington to intensify its confrontation with Moscow. US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to speak directly with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the case that emerged in the Irkutsk region.
Back at the White House, the tycoon confirmed to reporters that the meeting would be imminent: " I have a phone call scheduled very soon ." Trump also reiterated the United States' willingness to offer assistance to Russia should intervention be necessary to prevent the spread of any outbreaks. " We will help them ," he declared, emphasizing his concern about the situation.
At the center of the story is the death of 28-year-old Daria Shipilova , a laboratory technician employed at a Siberian facility conducting plague research. According to some media reports, the woman died after contracting pneumonic plague following the accidental breakage of a test tube . Russian authorities, however, have rejected this version, speaking of " pneumonia of unclear etiology " and calling the plague rumors " fake news ." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also urged people not to fuel speculation and to rely exclusively on official information, assuring them that the epidemiological situation in the region was under control.
Washington demands clarification from Moscow: "Provide more information."
Despite Russian reassurances, the United States has requested more detailed clarification on the incident. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that any possible infection occurring within a laboratory would be a particularly sensitive issue, especially after the experience of the Covid pandemic. " It is up to Russia to provide more information on what happened ," Rubio stated. The State Department subsequently confirmed that it had officially requested further information from Moscow and is also maintaining contact with other countries to share available updates.
According to the Wall Street Journal , Washington has sent Russia a formal diplomatic note urging it to comply with international health communication obligations. The United States is criticizing the lack of information released by Russian authorities regarding the researcher's death. The US Embassy in Moscow has also issued a warning to its citizens. In a message released on October 6, it stated that it was aware of reports from Irkutsk regarding a suspected case of pneumonic plague, as well as subsequent quarantine measures and the closure of some hospitals. Washington also maintains its Level 4 travel advisory, " Do Not Travel ," with US citizens in Russia advised to leave the country.
WHO curbs alarmism: risk is low, but vigilance remains high.
While the United States and Russia discuss the available information, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging stakeholders not to turn the case into a new global alert. The WHO said it is in contact with Russian authorities and is assessing the situation. " Based on the available information, WHO's initial risk assessment indicates a moderate to low level of risk for Irkutsk , a low risk for the entire Russian Federation, and a very low risk for the WHO European Region ," the organization reported.
Infectious disease specialist Emanuele Nicastri , director of the High-Intensity Infectious Diseases Unit at the IRCCS INMI Spallanzani Hospital in Rome, also reminded Adnkronos that plague has not disappeared: " However , plague is not a defeated infectious disease ." According to the expert, cases are still reported every year in various parts of the world, including some American states. Nicastri also explained that pneumonic plague is the most severe form of the disease and that, in the event of a laboratory accident, exposure could have occurred through aerosolization of the bacteria contained in the test tube. " An FFP2 mask would have been enough to prevent contagion ," he observed, emphasizing that it is " a disease we know well and that is not frightening ," while also noting that it can have lethal consequences.