Russia Quarantines 189 People After Researcher Dies From Plague
The US is closely monitoring the situation and has offered help.
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A total of 189 individuals are currently being monitored following the death of a research institute employee in Russia
According to CNBC, the mass quarantine was triggered by the sudden death of a 27-year-old employee from a local anti-plague research institute in Irkutsk region in Eastern Siberia.
She reportedly fell ill after a work trip to the Republic of Buryatia, an area near the Mongolian border where an outbreak had recently surfaced.
The Medical Assistance and Rescue Centre in Irkutsk, Russia.
Image via New Straits Times / ReutersRussian health officials said the situation is under control
Russia's public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, said the researcher suffered from "pneumonia of unknown etiology", adding that extensive testing found no microorganisms linked to her professional work.
Rospotrebnadzor insisted the epidemiological situation in the region remains stable, despite early local reports suspecting pneumonic plague.
The White House is now closely monitoring the suspected outbreak and assessing its options
According to the BBC, US President Donald Trump is yet to speak to the Russians about the matter.
"I hate to see them having it. We'll help. Everybody who has that kind of a problem, we'll always help," he said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that public health risk appears to be low based on available information
The organisation said to Reuters that "the public health risk to the general population appears to be low".
It will conduct new risk assessments once further information becomes available.
