U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on October 5, 2026, that the United States is closely monitoring the suspected plague case in Russia, noting it is a cause for focus but not alarm.

From the articleMystery death at Russian plague lab triggers sweeping precautions as US watches closelyAlso in Russia plays down plague fears and denies lab accident, says scientist died of "pneumonia of unknown origin", Russia takes steps after plague lab worker falls ill, US ‘monitoring’ situation around suspected case of plague in Russia, US closely monitoring case of lab worker who ‘possibly’ died of plague in Siberia, says Rubio, Dozens quarantined after researcher at Russian plague laboratory dies of ‘unknown’ infection | CNN, "The U.S. is closely monitoring the situation" — Rubio issues statement following plague case in Russia | УНН, Russian lab worker dies of suspected plague as 200 enter medical observation