US monitors suspected plague case in Irkutsk after lab worker's death

The United States is monitoring a suspected plague case in Irkutsk, Russia, following the death of a 28-year-old laboratory worker, prompting some US political figures to call for travel restrictions against Russia. The worker, Darya Shipilova, reportedly broke a test tube containing pneumonic-plague bacteria on September 25, though an alternative infection source from a trip to Buryatia is also cited. Nearly 200 contacts are under observation, with no signs of illness reported so far. Washington has urged Russia to share accurate information quickly, noting plague is treatable with antibiotics, but has announced no new travel restrictions. Russia's messaging has been unclear, initially avoiding the word "plague," while officials investigate possible health safety violations.