U.S. Seeks More Information From Russia on Lab Worker’s Death

The United States has formally asked Russia for more information about the death of a Siberian laboratory worker whose pneumonia has prompted public-health scrutiny, while the cause of her illness and any connection to her work remain unconfirmed. The request was made through a confidential diplomatic communication, known as a démarche, according to reporting citing a person familiar with the matter. U.S. officials have also urged Moscow publicly to share information. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that details provided so far were limited and that U.S. agencies were monitoring the case. A State Department spokesperson said Washington was in official communication with Russia and other countries. Daria Shipilova, 28, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East. She died October 2 after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Russian authorities have not confirmed plague as the cause. They said testing of her biological material found no microorganisms connected to her professional activities, and said no plague cases had recently been registered in the Irkutsk region.