Russia says it

Russia said Wednesday it could quickly arrange a phone conversation between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin about the death of a worker at a plague research center. No call had been set.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow contacted Russian officials about the reported death and requested further details, a State Department spokesperson told CBS News. The United States urged Russia to share information promptly and openly.

The World Health Organization asked Russia’s health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, for more information about the researcher, Shipilova. The agency said it had supplied additional details and reported that nearly 5,000 tests found no dangerous pathogens.

Rospotrebnadzor also said Shipilova had received vaccinations against the infections she worked with. The WHO said reports of another possible infection in the region remained unconfirmed.

Independent Russian media reported that around 200 of Shipilova’s colleagues were quarantined for three days and tested twice daily before being released. A colleague reportedly said her illness began with cold-like symptoms and worsened quickly.

The WHO’s request for further details follows reports suggesting a possible plague infection. The cause of Shipilova’s death has not been explained in the material provided, and officials have not confirmed an infection.