Trump plans to discuss Siberian lab worker’s death with Putin
A 28-year-old laboratory worker at a plague research centre in Siberia has died, prompting US President Donald Trump to announce he will speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin about the incident. The death raises international concern as pneumonic plague, a potentially fatal respiratory infection, may be involved, though Russian authorities have not yet confirmed the specific cause.
Russian officials are investigating the death of Darya Shipilova, and nearly 200 people in the Irkutsk region have been placed under observation following the incident. Unconfirmed reports suggest she may have broken a test tube containing plague bacteria or been exposed during fieldwork, though Russian health authorities described her death as "pneumonia of undetermined etiology". The World Health Organization has called on Russia to provide complete and transparent information, while the US has indicated it stands ready to offer assistance if the situation proves more serious than initially reported.
- Lab worker dies at Siberia plague research centre; Trump to speak with Putin.
- Nearly 200 people placed under observation in the Irkutsk region following the death.
- WHO calls for transparency as Russia investigates undetermined cause.
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A laboratory worker in Russia has died at a facility that studies plague, a serious infectious disease that can spread from person to person. The death has drawn international concern because plague bacteria may have been involved.
The worker, 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, was employed at a plague research centre in Siberia. Russian health authorities have not officially confirmed that plague caused her death, instead describing it as pneumonia of unknown origin, but unconfirmed reports suggest she may have been exposed to plague bacteria during her work.
About 200 people who had contact with her are being monitored. The World Health Organization has asked Russia to provide complete information about what happened, whilst the United States has indicated it stands ready to assist if required. The situation has become diplomatically significant because of international concerns about biological research facilities and potential disease outbreaks.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Trump to speak to Putin about plague lab worker’s death in Russia”.