The CDC said on Wednesday it is monitoring reports of a suspected pneumonic plague death in Russia's Irkutsk region and sees no indication of a broader threat to the United States.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday that it is aware of and closely monitoring reports of a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia's Irkutsk region that resulted in a death. CNBC reported the agency's post on X.
The CDC said the circumstances remain unconfirmed. It noted that pneumonic plague can spread person to person through respiratory droplets in close contact, but said there is no indication of a broader threat to the United States. It said it and partner agencies would keep monitoring.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that a call with President Vladimir Putin on the case was scheduled very soon and that US agencies were in deep discussions, with more to report probably on Wednesday. The call itself had not been confirmed as completed in the CNBC account.
Russian watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has said laboratory technician Darya Shipilova, 28, died on Friday of pneumonia of unknown etiology, according to reporting cited by the Jerusalem Post. It said no work-related microorganisms were found in her samples or in tests of almost 200 contacts, which found two COVID-19 cases and two rhinovirus cases. Moscow has not published the test list.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency has asked Russia for more information and assesses the public risk as low on current information, CNBC reported. The cause of death is still described as suspected, not confirmed pneumonic plague.
People Sentiments Mixed
- The CDC said there is no indication of a broader threat to the United States.
- Donald Trump said a call with Vladimir Putin was scheduled very soon and that more could be reported probably on Wednesday.
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said timely and complete information sharing is essential.