President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he plans to have a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very soon.” This comes as the administration is closely monitoring reports about a suspected pneumonic plague-related death in Siberia, which has led to a health alert in the U.S. and increased health measures in neighboring countries.
During a press briefing, Trump mentioned that he already has a call scheduled with Putin, sharing, “I have a call scheduled, yup.” When asked for more details about the timing of the call, he indicated that it would happen “very soon.” He noted that U.S. intelligence agencies are engaged in “very deep discussions” regarding the situation.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued a health alert regarding reports from Russia’s Irkutsk region. According to the embassy, there are suspicions of pneumonic plague leading to an individual’s death, which has triggered quarantine measures and hospital closures in the area. “We continue to track the situation closely,” the embassy stated.
In a statement, a State Department spokesperson confirmed that the department, along with the CDC and other partners, is keeping a close watch on the case linked to the suspected pneumonic plague. They emphasized that the safety and security of Americans is the administration’s top priority but noted that many details remain unconfirmed. They have encouraged Russian authorities to share accurate information promptly.
The alert advises Americans in the vicinity to adhere to local health guidelines, steer clear of affected medical facilities, and seek medical attention if they present with fever or respiratory issues. Additionally, those who have traveled to outbreak areas should monitor their health for a period of 14 days. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Russia and has encouraged Americans currently residing there to leave, underscoring that governmental assistance is limited, especially outside of Moscow.
Countries bordering Russia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, are also implementing enhanced health measures due to the reported pneumonic plague cases. The individual who died was a 28-year-old employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, and although authorities reported her death as pneumonia of unknown origin, they have not confirmed a link to plague, stating that tests found no disease-causing microorganisms.
Officials have reported that the World Health Organization has been informed and that contacts of the deceased have tested negative for dangerous pathogens. The WHO has assessed the risk to the general population as low. The CDC continues to monitor the situation actively, collaborating with various governmental sectors to gather more information as it becomes available. Currently, there is no indication of a broader threat to the United States.
Pneumonic plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, can spread between people through respiratory droplets during close contact and can rapidly progress if left untreated. However, it can be treated effectively with antibiotics, particularly if caught early.
U.S. officials are seeking further details about the incident in Irkutsk and its potential implications. Trump suggested that additional information might be available as soon as Wednesday, saying, “We’ll be able to report about it probably tomorrow.”
The White House did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
