Trump Pledges Support to Russia Amid Concerns of Pneumonic Plague Infection at Siberian Lab

October 8, Kathmandu — US President Donald Trump has expressed that the United States will provide necessary assistance to Russia following concerns over a possible pneumonic plague infection at a laboratory in Siberia. However, he clarified that he has not had direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the matter. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump stated, “We have just received information about the subject. We will assist them—as much as we can.”

Addressing antimicrobial resistance, Trump noted that while such diseases were easier to control in the past, microbes and pathogens are becoming increasingly resilient. However, health experts indicate that if pneumonic plague is detected in its early stages, it can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

The scare erupted following the mysterious death of 28-year-old laboratory technician Darya Sipilova, who worked at the Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia in Irkutsk. According to local and independent media reports, on September 25, during her work at the laboratory, a test tube containing the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis broke, infecting her. Sipilova was hospitalized on September 29 and died on October 2.

The Russian public health agency Rospotrebnadzor claimed that Sipilova died from “pneumonia of unknown etiology.” They stated that tests found no connection between her death and the laboratory bacteria, and that no accidents occurred at the institute. As a precaution, local authorities have closed certain hospital departments and placed approximately 197 individuals who had contact with Sipilova under medical supervision and quarantine. Officials have reported no symptoms of infection among others so far.