Donald Trump has said the world will 'find out soon enough' whether the reported plague outbreak in Russia is the result of a bioweapon. The US President also drew parallels between Russia's 'silence' on the issue and China's handling of the Covid-19 outbreak.
President's comments at press conference
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday (October 7), Trump was questioned about the US' position on the reported plague, which is believed to have taken the life of bio-lab worker Darya Shipilova, 28, after she shattered a test tube at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia.
Five hospitals along with over 200 people who had contact with Shipilova have been quarantined.
Russia's assurances and comparisons
In light of concerns that the plague could evolve into another global pandemic, the US President attempted to alleviate fears by stating that the Kremlin has informed him Russian officials 'have it under control'. However, Trump was unable to provide a definitive answer when queried if the plague was a bioweapon.
He stated: "Well, we don't think so. We're going to find out soon enough."
"We don't think so. If you listen to them it's under control."
Parallels with China's Covid-19 response
He also likened Russia's approach to the situation to China's during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is thought to have originated in Wuhan.
"China did not say much, and Russia's not saying very much either but they do say they have it under control," he added.
His remarks follow speculation from Dr Robert Redfield, who headed the American Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in early 2020, that the plague could be a 'manipulated' form of the disease.
