In Russia, Trump promised assistance following reports of suspected plague
US President Donald Trump has expressed readiness to assist Russia following reports of a possible plague outbreak in the Irkutsk region. Russian officials, however, stated that the deceased patient was diagnosed with pneumonia of unspecified etiology. The assumptions regarding the spread of the plague have not been confirmed.
Trump promised to help after reports of suspected plague in Russia
Answering journalists' questions on October 5, Trump said that Washington is closely monitoring the situation in the Irkutsk region.
"We will help. We always help any side that faces such a problem," the US President said.
At the same time, Trump also noted that he has not yet contacted the Russian authorities regarding this matter. No information was provided about the specific form of assistance or when it would be provided.
Reports of a possible plague spread after the death of 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. She was hospitalized in late September and died on October 2. Rospotrebnadzor stated that she was diagnosed with "pneumonia of unspecified etiology."
According to local media, nearly 200 people were quarantined after the incident. Speculations have also spread on social media that a test tube containing the plague pathogen was broken in the laboratory.
However, Rospotrebnadzor stated that no accidents were detected during the work with pathogenic microorganisms at the institute. According to the agency, no microorganisms related to her professional activity were found in the samples taken from the patient.
The agency's subsequent statement said that the sanitary-epidemiological situation in the Irkutsk region is calm, and medical observation has been completed for 60 percent of those who were in contact with the patient. Tests revealed COVID-19 in two people and rhinovirus infection in another two, with no other infectious agents found.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also urged journalists to rely on Rospotrebnadzor's statements and did not discuss the details of the incident.
Following reports of the events in Irkutsk, precautionary measures are also being strengthened in Central Asian countries. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have tightened sanitary-quarantine control.
In Uzbekistan, the readiness of relevant services has been increased to prevent the entry and spread of highly dangerous infections into the country. The Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Committee stated that the situation is being monitored based on official data and urged the population not to believe unconfirmed reports.