Rubio urges Russia to share more details on plague lab worker's death

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Russia to be more transparent about the death of a plague research center scientist, following conflicting information from Russian authorities about the incident. The World Health Organization said Tuesday the public health risk is low, estimating moderate-to-low risk in Irkutsk, low for Russia, and very low for Europe. Russian authorities identified all contacts of 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, none showing plague symptoms, though they are investigating whether pneumonic plague caused her death. Russia's health agency denied reports that Shipilova died of plague, stating she died of "pneumonia of unknown etiology." The hospital where she was treated was partially quarantined, and President Trump said U.S. officials were watching the case closely and ready to help.