Irkutsk:Russia has denied reports of a second illness case in Siberia's Irkutsk region, following quarantine measures due to concerns of a potential 'plague' outbreak.

According to Anadolu Agency, Russia's consumer and health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, described social media reports about a second case as 'incorrect.' The agency confirmed that no incidents involving pathogenic microorganisms were identified, and that proper control measures were in place.

Comprehensive preventive and anti-epidemic measures have been implemented, with no epidemic risks to the population of Irkutsk and the surrounding region. Monitoring was completed for over 90% of contacts in the area, with no health issues linked to infectious diseases reported.

Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev convened an extraordinary meeting of the regional sanitary and anti-epidemic commission after reports of a suspected 'highly dangerous infectious disease' in a local resident. Rospotrebnadzor stated that an employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute was diagnosed with 'pneumonia of unknown etiology.'

Local outlet People of Baikal reported that the institute employee, identified as 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, allegedly broke a test tube containing 'pneumonic plague' and subsequently became ill. She was hospitalized in Shelekhov, where she died.

The Kremlin dismissed the majority of reports on the situation as 'false information' and urged the public to rely on Rospotrebnadzor's official statements. The agency also indicated that the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Irkutsk remains 'calm.'

US President Donald Trump mentioned that Washington was monitoring the situation closely and offered assistance, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for transparency from Russia. The World Health Organization is seeking further information from Russia regarding the incident and reports of another death.