U.S. President Donald Trump has offered assistance to Russia after a laboratory worker died following an illness at a plague research institute in Siberia. Russian authorities stated that the situation is under control. "We'll help," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday when asked about the case. "Everybody who has that kind of a problem, we'll always help," according to a Reuters transcript.
The laboratory worker at an anti-plague research institute in the Irkutsk region of eastern Siberia fell ill and died under undisclosed circumstances, leading authorities to quarantine nearly 200 people and raising public health concerns. Trump noted that he had not spoken to Russian officials regarding the case but referred to the plague as a "rough disease." He stated, "That's a disease we used to be able to control," adding that "somehow those microbes have gotten stronger and stronger, they're like an army."
A spokesperson from the State Department, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "We are monitoring the situation closely with the CDC and our other interagency partners. Many details have not been confirmed. We encourage Russian authorities to share accurate information quickly and openly." Trump indicated that the U.S. would do what it could to assist Russia, mentioning his previous view of Russian President Vladimir Putin as someone he could collaborate with, despite existing tensions over Moscow's war in Ukraine.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated in an email response that the cause of death had not been confirmed and that testing was underway. The WHO is in contact with Russian authorities and has offered support if needed, while assessing the risk to the general public as low based on the available information. It remains unclear whether Moscow has sought or would accept any assistance.