Rubio says US is watching Russia plague outbreak closely as expert warns lab 'may have been weaponising' pathogen

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026.

Darya Shipilova, 28, died at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia after reportedly breaking a test tube containing pneumonic plague bacteria, triggering quarantine of more than 200 contacts and closure of four hospitals. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is monitoring the outbreak closely, warning it 'could spread quickly' despite Russia's containment efforts. Trump offered Putin direct assistance, calling the disease 'a big problem for Russia' as Dr Deborah Birx described the case as 'particularly concerning'.

Consultant virologist Dr Chris Smith said the Irkutsk facility 'may well have been weaponising this particular form of the plague for nefarious reasons.'

Russian authorities insist Shipilova died of 'pneumonia of unknown etiology' and found no micro-organisms linked to her work — but the Kremlin denials are reportedly fuelling cover-up fears.

Birx flagged that Shipilova travelled after her exposure, meaning she 'had it in her lungs' while potentially spreading the airborne disease before she died.