Trump to speak to Putin about plague lab worker's death in Russia
US President Donald Trump plans to discuss the death of a lab worker at a Siberian plague research institute with Vladimir Putin. Russian officials are investigating the incident, while the WHO has called for greater transparency regarding potential public health risks.
Why it matters
The incident highlights international concerns over biosafety protocols and the potential for accidental pathogen release in high-security research facilities.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, The victim was working at the anti-plague institute in the Siberia city of Irkutsk
US President Donald Trump has said he will speak with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin soon about the death of a lab worker at a plague research centre in Siberia.
"So far we are in very deep discussions," Trump said, adding that he would be able to report on his talks with Putin "probably" on Thursday.
Russian officials say they are investigating the cause of the 28-year-old's death. They say that those who came into contact with the victim all tested negative and have not confirmed that the suspected disease is pneumonic plague - a serious lung infection, often described as the most virulent form of plague.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for transparency from Russia.
Also covering this story
13 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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