Trump Expresses Concern Over Russian Researcher's Death at Plague Institute

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern on October 5 over the death of a researcher at a plague control institute in Shelekhov, Russia, following reports of the incident. Russian health authorities have quarantined nearly 200 people in hospitals. The researcher, a 28-year-old female lab technician, died on October 2 from pneumonia of unknown cause, according to Russia's consumer protection watchdog. Trump said he is concerned about a possible plague outbreak, noting pathogens have become stronger, but did not detail specific U.S. support measures. Local officials have held emergency meetings and implemented comprehensive anti-epidemic measures, though the cause of death remains unconfirmed. A local newspaper reported the woman accidentally broke a test tube containing plague bacteria, but Russian authorities have not verified this claim.