US Requests Russia Details on Suspected Plague Death in Siberia

The United States has formally requested information from Russia about the suspected pneumonic plague death of a Siberian lab technician, with President Donald Trump saying he will speak "very soon" with Vladimir Putin. The WHO assesses the risk as low for Russia and very low for Europe. Washington made the official diplomatic request Tuesday after Russian media reported the death of 28-year-old Daria Shipilova at Irkutsk's plague control institute. Russian authorities deny imposing sanitary restrictions, while the WHO and CDC are monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for transparency. Pneumonic plague is a highly contagious, potentially fatal lung infection transmitted through droplets. Russian officials claim the death was from pneumonia of "indeterminate" origin, while local reports suggest up to 200 contacts are in quarantine.