Scoop: White House monitors suspected plague outbreak in Russia

The White House is keeping a close eye on a suspected case of plague and subsequent quarantines in Russia, according to a Trump administration official. Russian health officials have implemented precautions following the death of Daria Shipilova, a 28-year-old researcher at an anti-plague facility in the Irkutsk region. Shipilova died on October 2 after contracting severe pneumonia, caused by pneumonic plague, after breaking a test tube containing the pathogen at her workplace on September 25.

Shipilova's death triggered quarantines at several medical facilities in the area and placed around 200 contacts under medical observation. However, no signs of illness were found in those under observation, and tests returned negative results. While media reports suggest Shipilova may have contracted pneumonic plague, Russian health authorities have not confirmed the diagnosis.

The Russian public health agency reported that Shipilova suffered from pneumonia of unknown etiology, with further testing finding no microorganisms connected to her work. The epidemiological situation in the region is currently stable. Plague is a potentially lethal bacterial disease, but can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

White House press representatives have directed inquiries to the State Department, which has not provided a response to inquiries for comment.