Trump schedules call with Putin over Siberian plague

The White House announced a near‑term call with Vladimir Putin to address a death at Russia's Irkutsk Anti‑Plague Institute, which the WHO says poses a very low risk outside Russia.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:22:07 GMT

President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled "very soon" to discuss a suspected plague case at the Irkutsk Anti‑Plague Institute in Siberia.

What happened

The death of 28‑year‑old staffer Darya Shipilova at the Irkutsk Anti‑Plague Institute was reported last week. Russian health officials described the cause as "pneumonia of undetermined origin" and said no plague was found among her contacts. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the incident presents a "very low" risk outside Russia. On Tuesday, Trump said the United States is in "very deep discussions" about the case and will report further "probably tomorrow".

What the reports add

New Indian Express noted that the WHO is in contact with Russian authorities following the death, and that U.S. intelligence is actively reviewing the matter. France 24 added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Russia to be transparent, saying the United States wants more information to determine an appropriate response. NBC News reported that a Russian health watchdog found two COVID‑19 cases and one rhinovirus case among contacts, but no plague, and that the Russian Embassy in Washington had not responded to comment requests.

What was said

Trump told reporters at the White House South Lawn, "I have a call scheduled, yes," and that it would happen "very soon." He also said the United States is in "very deep discussions" and expects to report "probably tomorrow." (New Indian Express) Rubio said, "We encourage Russia to be transparent and share more information with the world so that all of us could react accordingly and appropriately." (France 24) The WHO said the case presents a "very low" risk outside Russia. (New Indian Express) A Russian health watchdog concluded that plague was not found among the staffer’s contacts. (NBC News)

How it came about

The incident follows a series of U.S.‑Russia tensions, including the signing of a sweeping sanctions bill on September 19 and Trump’s invitation to Putin for the December G20 summit. Earlier this week, Felo News reported that around 200 people, including over 100 hospital patients, were placed under observation after the lab worker’s death (Lab worker dies in Siberia, nearly 200 placed under observation).

Key facts

President Trump scheduled a call with President Putin to discuss a suspected plague case in Siberia. (newindianexpress.com)
The deceased was a 28‑year‑old staffer at the Irkutsk Anti‑Plague Institute, cause listed as pneumonia of undetermined origin. (nbcnews.com)
The WHO assessed the incident as presenting a very low risk outside Russia. (newindianexpress.com)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Russia to be transparent about the case. (france24.com)

Where accounts differ

Risk assessment of the incident: WHO said the case presents a "very low" risk outside Russia. (newindianexpress.com); Russian authorities downplayed the incident and denied imposing anti‑plague measures. (france24.com)