Russian authorities say the death of a worker at a plague research institute does not create a risk of an epidemic, according to Reuters. The death occurred in Siberia, Reuters reports.
The case drew international attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying Russia had described the situation as "very much under control," according to Forbes. Trump also said he was set to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin "very soon" about the plague-related death, CNBC reported.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring travelers in connection with the case, according to Forbes. Axios reported that Trump and the World Health Organization have pressed Russia for information, and that questions about the case remain unresolved.
The BBC, in its own coverage, reported that a global outbreak of pneumonic plague is unlikely. The BBC's assessment was published alongside Reuters' report of Russia's statement that the death carries no epidemic risk.
Plague is a bacterial infection, and the pneumonic form can spread between people through respiratory droplets, though public health experts have repeatedly said such transmission is rare and can be contained with antibiotics and standard infection control. The reporting did not specify the worker's role at the institute, the exact location of the death, or how the person was infected.
What to watch next: whether Russia releases further details about the case and whether the CDC's monitoring of travelers leads to any additional public health measures.
