Marco Rubio asks Russia for clarification after the death of the researcher from the plague laboratory

The United States is asking Russia to provide complete information about the death of 28-year-old researcher Darya Shipilova and any potential risks to public health. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the appeal upon his arrival in Reykjavik, following the emergence of contradictory reports about a possible laboratory incident in Irkutsk, Siberia.

Shipilova worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, where she was exposed to dangerous pathogens. She fell ill and died in a local hospital. Approximately 200 people who had recently come into contact with the researcher were tested.

Initially, local officials suggested that the woman might have contracted plague as a result of a laboratory accident. Some of these statements were later deleted. Russia’s Rospotrebnadzor agency, however, rejected the reports and stated that the woman had not been diagnosed with plague, with the indicated cause being “pneumonia of unknown etiology.” Tests did not identify microorganisms associated with her work.

The hospital was partially closed, and contacts were evaluated. The WHO considers the risk moderate to low in the Irkutsk area, low for Russia, and very low for Europe. The organization is continuing to investigate the possibility of a form of pneumonic plague. President Donald Trump stated that the United States is monitoring the situation and is prepared to provide support.