The Trump administration formally asked Russia for details about the reported death of a laboratory worker at a facility studying pneumonic plague in Siberia's Irkutsk region. Russian authorities said they found no plague in the deceased worker or contacts.
*US PREPARING FORMAL REQUEST TO RUSSIA ON PLAGUE DEATH: WAPO
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) October 6, 2026
Overnight, the U.S. Embassy reiterated its "Do Not Travel" warning for Russia and urged Americans already in the country to leave immediately.
"The U.S. Embassy is aware of press reports from the Irkutsk region of suspected pneumonic plague resulting in the death of an individual and of associated quarantine measures in, and closures of, hospitals in Irkutsk," the U.S. Embassy in Moscow wrote in an advisory overnight.
Irkutsk, Russia: The U.S. Embassy is aware of press reports from the Irkutsk region of suspected pneumonic plague resulting in the death of an individual and of associated quarantine measures in, and closures of, hospitals in Irkutsk. We continue to track the situation closely. The U.S. government has limited ability to help U.S. citizens in Russia, especially outside of Moscow. The State Department’s Level 4 Travel Advisory (Do Not Travel) for Russia remains in place and states U.S. citizens currently in Russia should depart immediately. U.S. citizens planning travel to Russia are again strongly advised not to travel to Russia due to risk of wrongful detention and security
