On October 5, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his readiness to assist Russia concerning a potential outbreak of pneumonic plague that has emerged in the Irkutsk region.
Trump's Statement
Trump made this statement while speaking to reporters outside the White House. He noted that the situation raises concerns due to the risk of the pneumonic plague spreading from Russia to other countries. The president emphasized that the U.S. is closely monitoring the developments.
Assessment of the Situation
In his remarks, Trump also commented that pneumonic plague is a serious disease that used to be easier to treat. He pointed out that modern microbes have become more resilient:
- “This disease was easier to treat years ago.”;
- “It is a severe illness that we could control in the past.”;
- “But for some reason, these microbes have become stronger and smarter.”.
Trump assured that the U.S. is ready to provide assistance: “We will help Russia. We will help them as much as we can. Anyone who has such a problem, we are always ready to help.”