Trump announces talks with Putin over plague situation in Irkutsk region

US and Russian presidents to coordinate actions on epidemiological threat

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will hold a phone conversation in the near future, during which they plan to discuss a suspected case of pulmonary plague in Russia’s Irkutsk region. The American leader confirmed that contact with the Russian dictator will take place «дуже скоро» (very soon).

Commenting on journalists’ questions regarding US intelligence data, Trump noted that Washington is holding «дуже глибокі обговорення» (very deep discussions) on this topic. «Ми зможемо повідомити про це, ймовірно, завтра», — додав він (We will probably be able to report on this tomorrow, he added).

Risk assessments and reaction from international bodies

The day before, Donald Trump stated that the United States is ready to provide assistance to Russia in fighting the disease. He called the plague «важкою хворобою» (a serious illness), the agents of which, according to him, have become stronger, «як армія» (like an army).

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) assessed the risk of the infection spreading beyond Russia as «дуже низький» (very low). Representatives of the organization reported that they are in contact with Russian authorities.

Details of the incident in Irkutsk region

In Russia, the death of a worker at the anti-plague institute is still officially explained as pneumonia of unknown origin. Meanwhile, the incident involving a suspected case of plague occurred in early October.

On the night of October 1–2, a 28-year-old laboratory assistant from the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute died at a hospital in the city of Shelekhov. According to local media, a week before her death, she broke a test tube containing the pulmonary plague agent. Approximately 200 people who had contact with the deceased were isolated.