Trump Offers U.S. Help to Russia Over Plague Case in Irkutsk Region

U.S. President Donald Trump said on October 5 that the United States is ready to help Russia following a case of pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region, noting that Russians are calling the disease "pneumonia." Trump stated he is aware of the situation and that Washington is paying close attention to it. He claimed pathogens have become stronger and more intelligent, making previously effective drugs less potent, and pledged assistance to anyone facing such a problem. The White House earlier said it is monitoring the situation and assessing response options. Local sources reported a lab worker died in Shelekhov, with about 200 people under medical observation, though Russian officials deny a plague outbreak and call the epidemiological situation stable.