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The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has issued a health alert for Americans in Siberia’s Irkutsk region after reports of a possible pneumonic plague case, a death, and quarantine measures at local hospitals.
The warning comes as questions remain over what caused the death of a worker at a plague research institute. The infection has not been confirmed.
In its Oct. 6 alert, the embassy advised Americans in the area to follow local health authorities’ instructions, avoid affected facilities, and seek medical attention promptly if they develop a fever or breathing problems. Those who traveled to the area were advised to monitor their health for 14 days.
It also urged citizens to prepare an emergency plan for leaving Russia that does not depend on U.S. government assistance, noting that its ability to help Americans is limited, particularly outside Moscow.
That advice reinforces Washington’s existing warning against travel to Russia. The State Department already advises Americans in the country to leave immediately because of security concerns and the risk of wrongful detention; that recommendation was not introduced because of the suspected infection.
Russian authorities, meanwhile, told the World Health Organization on Tuesday that no plague cases had been recorded in Irkutsk and that people who had contact with the deceased had tested negative for dangerous infectious pathogens.
However, Reuters reported that it could not establish whether those results included tests on the worker herself or whether plague had been ruled out as the cause of her death. The WHO has previously assessed the risk to the general population as low.
The uncertainty has also drawn attention at the highest levels in Washington. President Donald Trump offered assistance, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Russia to share more information. Authorities in the Shelekhov district said they could handle the situation and that it was under control.
For travelers, the distinction matters: the embassy is responding to reports of a suspected infection, rather than announcing a confirmed outbreak. Its message is to follow local medical advice, watch for symptoms, and have a plan if circumstances change.
*Source: www.state.gov
