"We will help Russia": Trump reacts to plague outbreak (VIDEO) | Watch

US President Donald Trump has publicly commented for the first time on the death of a 28-year-old laboratory assistant from pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region, promising aid to Russia. Trump stated that pathogens have become stronger and previous medications are less effective. About 200 people who had contact with the deceased have been placed in isolation. Authorities in the Irkutsk region have not officially confirmed the diagnosis of plague.

US President Donald Trump has publicly responded for the first time to the death of a 28-year-old laboratory assistant from pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region, promising aid to Russia. The incident occurred on the night of October 2 at a hospital in the city of Shelekhov. According to local media, a week before her death, the woman broke a test tube containing the pneumonic plague pathogen at work. About 200 people who had contact with her have been isolated and are under medical observation. The hospital has been closed for quarantine. Authorities in the Irkutsk region have not officially named the diagnosis, referring only to an "especially dangerous infection." The death from plague was publicly announced by the head of neighboring Buryatia, Alexei Tsydenov. Trump acknowledged he is aware of the situation and stated that pathogens have become stronger and medications that previously helped are now less effective. "Therefore, we will help. Anyone who has such a problem, we are always ready to help," he said. A reporter asked what the US intends to do about the risk of plague spreading from Russia. Trump replied that the US is closely studying the situation and will provide assistance. Prior to this case, human infection with plague in Russia had not been recorded since 2017. Pneumonic plague is the most severe form of the disease, transmitted from person to person through airborne droplets.