Trump Offers US Help After Siberia Lab Death
US President Donald Trump has expressed concern over the death of a laboratory worker at a Siberian anti-plague research institute and said Washington is prepared to assist Russia as authorities monitor nearly 200 people for possible exposure.
Trump Offers US Help Over Siberia Health Scare
Trump said the United States was ready to help Russia if assistance was required, describing the situation as serious while speaking at the White House.
The comments followed the death of 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East.
Russian authorities said she died after developing pneumonia of unknown origin. Reports suggesting a laboratory accident involving live plague bacteria have not been confirmed.
Nearly 200 People Placed Under Medical Observation
Authorities traced around 200 people who had been in contact with Shipilova and placed them under medical supervision as a precaution.
Parts of the hospital where she was treated were temporarily cordoned off while health officials carried out testing and epidemiological investigations.
Several respiratory infections were detected among those monitored, including COVID-19 and rhinovirus cases, but no additional plague infections have been confirmed.
Russia Says No Evidence of Plague Lab Accident
Russian public health authorities have said there is currently no evidence linking Shipilova’s death to an accident at the research institute.
The World Health Organization has assessed the public health risk as low based on available information, while investigations continue into the cause of the researcher’s illness.
The White House and US health officials are also monitoring developments as more information emerges from Russia.
