Trump to Speak With Putin 'Very Soon' Amid Russia Plague Reports
The U.S. is monitoring a suspected fatal pneumonic plague case in Siberia and has issued health alerts.
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he has a call scheduled with Russian President Vladimir Putin "very soon," as his administration closely monitors reports of a suspected pneumonic plague death in Siberia.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued a health alert Tuesday, stating it is aware of press reports from Russia's Irkutsk region concerning a "suspected pneumonic plague resulting in the death of an individual." The alert also mentioned associated quarantine measures and hospital closures.
"We continue to track the situation closely," the embassy said in a statement. A State Department spokesman confirmed that the department, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other interagency partners, is "closely monitoring the fatal case of suspected pneumonic plague" in Russia's Irkutsk Oblast.
"The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans," the spokesman said, while also cautioning that "many details remain unconfirmed" and urging Moscow to provide greater clarity. "We encourage Russian authorities to share accurate information quickly and openly."
The alert advised Americans in the affected area to follow local health guidance, avoid medical facilities experiencing outbreaks, and seek prompt medical attention for symptoms such as fever or respiratory issues. Individuals who have traveled to an outbreak area were advised to monitor their health for 14 days.
The State Department's existing Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Russia remains in effect. The embassy reiterated warnings for Americans in Russia to depart, noting that the U.S. government's ability to assist citizens within Russia is limited, especially outside of Moscow.
Several countries bordering Russia have implemented enhanced health and sanitary measures in response to the reports from Siberia. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are among those taking these precautions.
Reports indicate that a 28-year-old employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East died last week. Russian authorities described the cause of death as pneumonia of undetermined origin and stated that tests found no microorganisms linked to her work. The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the risk to the general population as low, and Russian officials have reported that contacts of the deceased individual tested negative for dangerous infectious pathogens.
The CDC is also closely monitoring the situation and collaborating across the U.S. government. The agency has stated there is currently no indication of a broader threat to the United States. Pneumonic plague is a serious bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis that can spread through respiratory droplets. It is treatable with antibiotics if identified and managed early.
President Trump indicated that further information might be available as soon as Wednesday, stating, "We'll be able to report about it probably tomorrow."