CDC Monitoring Suspected Plague Outbreak in Russia
US health officials are aware of and closely monitoring reports of a suspected plague outbreak in Russia, with no indication of a broader threat to the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is actively monitoring a suspected pneumonic plague outbreak in Russia's Irkutsk region, following reports of at least one death.
A CDC spokesperson confirmed the agency's awareness of the situation, stating, "CDC is aware of and closely monitoring reports of a suspected case of pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region of Russia that resulted in a death." The agency is collaborating with other U.S. government entities to assess the evolving situation.
While officials have indicated there is currently "no indication... of a broader threat" to the U.S., they remain vigilant for updates. The situation gained attention last week when Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old lab worker at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, reportedly informed medical staff of an accidental break of a test tube containing live bacteria. This incident led to the quarantine of hundreds of individuals she had contact with, as well as five hospitals, including a maternity unit. Shipilova was hospitalized and died on October 2.
Russian officials have attributed Shipilova's death to "unidentified pneumonia," but other reports suggest she contracted pneumonic plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, also known as the "Black Death."
Reports have emerged of a second death related to the outbreak in the Irkutsk region, according to local media. Concurrently, independent Russian outlets have noted the disappearance of official reports concerning the first plague case from national media platforms.
President Donald Trump had offered U.S. assistance to Russia regarding the outbreak, but the Kremlin reportedly declined, instead offering aid for the U.S. measles outbreak.
Senator Marco Rubio expressed concerns that the disease could spread rapidly but advised against immediate alarm, citing limited travel between the U.S. and Russia.
Pneumonic plague is a severe lung infection caused by Yersinia pestis. It can spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, coughing up blood, and bleeding under the skin. Pneumonic plague attacks the lungs, causing them to fill with fluid and leading to severe breathing difficulties. The disease is nearly always fatal if not treated promptly with antibiotics.
The plague bacterium is endemic to Siberia, found in wild mammals and their fleas. While cases are occasionally reported in the region, human infections are generally rare among Russians. In July, Mongolia confirmed a human plague case in Khovd province, with 17 of its 21 provinces classified as plague-risk areas.
In the United States, the CDC reports approximately seven plague cases annually, primarily in northern New Mexico and Arizona, often resulting from flea bites from infected wild animals. Globally, an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 plague cases occur each year, with significant numbers reported in parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar. The mortality rate for bubonic plague, the most common form, can be as high as 30 to 60 percent if left untreated.