US offers Russia help after suspected plague case

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is closely monitoring reports of a plague case in Russia and is ready to help Moscow in the situation. Trump told reporters the U.S. learned of the matter recently and would assist Russia, following reports of the death of 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, a worker at a plague research institute in Irkutsk Oblast who may have broken a vial containing the plague pathogen. Russian authorities introduced quarantine measures in several medical facilities and placed about 200 people under observation. Russian health officials have not confirmed Shipilova was infected with plague, diagnosing her with pneumonia of unknown etiology. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, State Department, and other agencies are investigating the circumstances of her death and the quarantine measures.