Washington seeks information from Russia after lab worker dies of ‘plague’
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The United States is increasing pressure on Moscow over fears of plague in Russia. After the death of a 28-year-old laboratory worker, Washington has formally requested information about a possible pneumonic plague infection. Concerns are growing as Russia has provided only limited information so far. Meanwhile, reports have emerged that the hospital where the person was treated has been placed under quarantine and nearly 200 people are being monitored.
A US State Department spokesperson told CNN, “We have formally requested additional information from the Russian government. We are also formally communicating with other countries around the world to exchange information.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier on Tuesday, “Russia should certainly share more information with the world. Maybe the incident is bigger than we think it is. We do not know. But given that we still have limited information, I think it would be reckless to speculate at this point.”
A State Department official told US officials had been in contact with the Russian government since Friday. The contacts included communication between health experts from the State Department and Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump said a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin was “scheduled very soon” to discuss the matter. He also told US agencies would “probably tomorrow” be able to provide more information. However, the Kremlin said Wednesday that no phone call had been scheduled between Putin and Trump to discuss fears of plague in Russia.
So far, the United States has received limited cooperation from Russia. There is also widespread skepticism about the information Russia has made public. According to people familiar with the situation, US officials do not believe the Russian government is being fully transparent in providing information.
However, a US official said the United States is not taking measures such as travel restrictions to prevent a possible spread until it learns more about the situation through intelligence gathering and diplomatic contacts. The United States has already been warning its citizens against traveling to Russia because of the risk of wrongful detention and various other factors including the war with Ukraine.
One of the key unanswered questions is whether the 28-year-old laboratory worker who died last week was infected with pneumonic plague. It is a serious but treatable infection. Another question is whether the worker had another unidentified infectious disease. According to the institute’s website, employees at the Anti Plague Institute conduct research on various dangerous diseases including cholera, anthrax and brucellosis.
US officials have also sought information on whether the disease had been modified in any way. The process known as gain of function can involve major changes to the characteristics or capabilities of a pathogen. If such a change had occurred, it could significantly affect how the United States and other countries respond to the situation.
However, people familiar with the situation said concerns are growing within the administration because sufficient information about the situation is still unavailable. The extensive measures taken by the Russian government have also increased concerns. According to the mayor of Shelekhovsky District, the hospital where the laboratory worker was treated has also been placed under quarantine.
A regional media outlet reported that nearly 200 people are being monitored.
A US official said, “We still do not know a lot about what actually happened. But there is one thing most of us are certain about: Russia will behave the way the Chinese did during COVID. They will not provide information openly.”
In a statement, a US State Department spokesperson said several federal agencies are “closely monitoring the death of a person suspected of having pneumonic plague.”
A source said officials in the Trump administration are also gathering information through informal contacts with the World Health Organization (WHO). Trump stopped funding the WHO shortly after taking office. However, the US government has continued communicating with the organization during emergencies.
Meanwhile, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Tuesday that in response to the organization’s request, Russian health authorities reported that no recent cases of plague had been documented in the Irkutsk region.
He said Russian health authorities reported that an epidemiological investigation had been conducted. People who had been in contact with the patient were identified, tested and placed under medical observation. Tedros said Russian health authorities did not detect any high risk pathogens among those people.
Tedros said, “We are seeking clarification from the Russian authorities regarding media reports about another worker who developed pneumonia from an unknown cause.”
Asked about the WHO’s request, the Kremlin on Wednesday dismissed media reports about the situation and directed journalists to the public health regulator.
Source: CNN
