The researcher’s cause of death has not been established; Russian authorities say no plague cases were detected among her contacts.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he has a phone call planned with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very soon” and intends to discuss the death of a worker at a research institute in Siberia. Trump told reporters that U.S. agencies would likely release more information the following day.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Russian authorities to share information about the case. He said Washington was monitoring developments. The death of a 28-year-old employee of the Siberian Research Anti-Plague Institute drew international attention.
Russia’s consumer and health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, said no plague cases had been found among people who had contact with the employee. The agency said she died of pneumonia of undetermined origin. As of publication, plague had not been confirmed as the cause of death; Reuters and the Associated Press also reported that the question remained under investigation. Claims of a suspected infection therefore remain unconfirmed.