rki.news | Source: Anadolu Agency
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that an infection incident at a Russian biological research facility was not a cause for alarm but required monitoring.
Speaking before a diplomatic tour of Europe, Rubio said Washington was following information from Moscow that a research worker had contracted an infection, prompting local authorities to impose quarantine measures.
Rubio said pathogens could spread quickly if they escaped containment and confirmed that US authorities were monitoring the situation.
The remarks followed reports that a female employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute died after being diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown origin, according to Russian state news agency Tass.
Russian reports said the 28-year-old died following an accident. Local authorities introduced hospital quarantine measures and mask requirements at a factory, while Russia’s consumer protection agency said the epidemiological situation remained stable.
Rubio also addressed Russian warnings urging foreign diplomatic missions to leave Kyiv. He said the US Embassy remained operational and was subject to daily security reviews.
Rubio said the warnings were not unexpected given continued attacks on Kyiv. He added that Washington would adjust diplomatic security measures if necessary.
Rubio Says Russian Lab Incident Requires Close Monitoring
