CDC: Monitoring Russian plague risk, "prepared" for any threat

CDC: Monitoring Russian plague risk, "prepared" for any threat

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is monitoring reports of a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia and says it is prepared for any threat that emerges.

Why it matters: Pneumonic plague is the most dangerous form of plague and is almost always fatal unless if left untreated.

The latest: President Trump told reporters Tuesday that he has a call scheduled with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to discuss the suspected plague case and would speak with him "very soon."

  • Asked what U.S. intelligence was saying about the situation, Trump said officials were in "very deep discussions" and that "we'll be able to report about it, probably tomorrow."

    • Catch up quick: Darya Shipilova, a worker at a Russian anti-plague institute, died after reports that she may have been exposed to plague bacteria while working at the Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia.

  • Russian authorities say testing has not linked her death to plague or to pathogens she handled at work.
  • However, at least five hospitals in the area remain in quarantine and almost 200 people who had contact with Shipilova have been placed under medical observation as a precaution.

    • What they're saying: "We are working across the U.S. government to assess developments as additional information becomes available," the CDC said in an X post Tuesday.

  • "At this time, there is no indication of a broader threat to the United States, but CDC and our interagency partners are prepared and will continue to monitor the situation closely."

    • Context: The CDC said the plague is a dangerous bacterial disease that can be treated with antibiotics, especially when caught early.

  • Pneumonic plague can spread between people through respiratory droplets during close contact.
  • The CDC says "rapid identification and treatment of infected individuals, and monitoring of potentially exposed individuals" are important for keeping people safe.

    • State of play: The concerns have drawn attention on social media and from government officials and the White House, and the State Department has issued a "do not travel" alert for Russia.

  • Trump acknowledged Monday that he is aware of the situation. "We just heard about it," Trump told reporters Monday, but said he hadn't spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about it yet.
  • "We'll help them," Trump said. "We'll help them as much as we can."
  • The Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department are also monitoring the situation.

    • What we're watching: Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Russia Tuesday to share more information about Shipilova's death, per Reuters.

  • ​Rubio told reporters: "I ​think it's incumbent upon Russia to obviously ⁠share more information with the world."

    • Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from President Trump and to note that the State Department has issued a "do not travel" alert for Russia.