Plague in Siberia: the researcher’s mother says, ‘They let my daughter die’

Tensions are rising between Russia and the United States over the plague outbreak in Siberia. Following days of public calls for clarity, Washington has sent an official note to Moscow requesting information on what happened in the Siberian city of Irkutsk. “I have a conversation scheduled with Putin,” announced Donald Trump, without specifying when, but expressing confidence that the plague in Russia “is not a biological weapon”.

Many fear that the lack of information masks Moscow’s desire to cover up the incident and its origins – behaviour that many believe is similar to that adopted by China at the start of the Covid pandemic. When asked whether there were any parallels between the conduct of the two countries, the US President replied that Beijing ‘hasn’t said much, and Russia isn’t saying much either, but the Kremlin claims to have the situation under control’. ‘Furthermore,’ he explained, ‘they are very different matters’.

The Kremlin responded coolly to US pressure for details. “No telephone call between the Russian and US presidents has been agreed,” said spokesman Dmitry Peskov curtly, adding that he had “no information” even regarding the US demarche. In an official but confidential diplomatic note, the State Department urged Moscow to fulfil its international obligations regarding health-related communication, warning that the failure to disclose details breaches current regulations.

The US authorities have also reported that they are in contact with other countries to share the information available – which, at present, is limited. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to try to allay fears. “There is no risk of an outbreak for the population of Irkutsk or the region,” reiterated the Russian public health agency, Rospotrebnadzor. However, these reassurances have not had the desired effect. Many in the area are complaining – as reported by The Telegraph – about the lack of information for the public and the impression that safety measures are inadequate, given the shortage of test kits and the advice to see a doctor only if symptoms are present.

The building where the researcher lived has been disinfected at least three times since her death, though, according to the official version, this was to combat cockroaches. Rumours of a second death are causing even greater unease, despite the Kremlin’s denial. “The media are spreading a lot of news, and the vast majority of what the media are reporting on this situation is false information,” explained Peskov, commenting on the request for information from the World Health Organisation regarding rumours of a second case of the plague.