Key facts
- CDC is monitoring travelers from Siberia due to a suspected plague case in Russia.
- CDC Director Erica Schwartz stated the risk to the US is extremely low.
- The CDC is working with Homeland Security, State Department, and other agencies.
- The WHO is seeking information on a second reported death.
- A Russian lab worker died after a suspected accident with a plague sample.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring a suspected pneumonic plague outbreak in Russia, with CDC Director Erica Schwartz stating on Wednesday that the risk to the United States is extremely low. The agency is working with the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and other government agencies to monitor and screen travelers arriving from Siberia.
This comes amid reports of a lab worker's death in Siberia, identified as Daria Shipilova, who allegedly broke a test tube containing a plague sample. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also seeking urgent updates, particularly concerning reports of a second death. US health officials have stated they are aware of the situation and are working across the government to assess developments as more information becomes available.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the US is watching the outbreak closely and has officially requested additional information from the Russian government. President Trump also mentioned a scheduled call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the reported outbreak.