The Memo: Experts seek to calm panic over mysterious Russia ‘plague’ case

On October 5, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington would assist Russia in managing its current plague situation amidst reports of quarantines. When questioned by reporters about the ongoing plague issue in Russia, Trump affirmed his awareness of the matter and declared that the U.S. would lend a hand. He further stated, "I hate to see them having it; it's a rough disease," emphasizing the seriousness of the plague. Trump added, "We'll help anybody that has that kind of problem, we're willing to help."

Earlier on October 4, Russian officials and media reported that an aluminum factory and several hospitals in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, had implemented precautionary measures, such as quarantines and mandatory mask usage, following the death of a lab worker from the plague. The worker, Darya Shipilova, a technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov, allegedly caused the outbreak by inadvertently breaking a test tube containing the pathogen responsible for pneumonic plague while gathering samples a week prior. Shipilova passed away on October 2, reportedly having contracted the disease.

Trump's statement comes amid Russia's ongoing airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, with Ukraine and its allies persistently advocating for stricter sanctions. Just days earlier, on September 29, Trump faced criticism from both sides of the aisle over the potential relief of Russia sanctions in exchange for the release of political prisoners.