The US Embassy in Moscow has issued a medical alert following reports of a suspected case of pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region of Russia. Diplomats recommended that American citizens in the region follow the instructions of local authorities and avoid affected medical facilities.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to data from the embassy's press service, the diplomatic mission is monitoring reports of a suspected case of pneumonic plague that resulted in a person's death, as well as the introduction of quarantine measures and the closure of hospitals in Irkutsk.
American citizens located in the area of possible spread of the infection were advised to monitor their health, seek medical attention promptly if a fever or respiratory symptoms appear, and comply with the requirements of local health authorities.
Diplomats also urged avoiding affected facilities and following local media reports.
WHY THE RECOMMENDATION TO LEAVE RUSSIA IS NOT LINKED TO PLAGUE
The medical alert does not mean that the US has recommended its citizens leave Russia because of the plague situation.
The document separately states that the existing US State Department Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory was introduced earlier and remains in place for reasons related to the risks of unlawful detention and security.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT WASHINGTON'S POSITION
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on the Russian authorities to provide more information about the situation. According to him, the American side does not yet have enough data about what happened.
He also noted that the US already has measures in place that would allow it to take necessary action if the situation turns out to be more serious than has been established so far.
US President Donald Trump stated his readiness to help Russia in connection with the situation in the Irkutsk region. American media also reported on his intention to discuss the possible case of the disease with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
CONTEXT
The situation surrounding the suspected case of pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region has become a reason for sanitary measures and increased attention from authorities in various countries.
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health assessed the risk of plague being imported from Russia as low. The reason was reports of the death of an employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East and a possible case of the disease. Rospotrebnadzor stated at the same time that no cases of plague had been detected in the country.
