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The Situation Room

Dozens Under Quarantine After Russian Plague Lab Worker Dies; Whistleblower: FBI Investigated Anti-Ice Protesters; U.S. and China Discuss Nuclear Site Visits Amid New Arms Race Fears; Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Attack on Moscow Region. Aired 11:30a-12p ET

Aired October 06, 2026 - 11:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[11:30:00]

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, dozens of people are under quarantine in Russia, after a researcher in a lab that studies the plague died from a pneumonia of a quote unknown origin. Anti-epidemic protocols are in place at the hospital where she was treated. The World Health Organization is in contact with Russian authorities and President Trump says the U.S. is also ready to help.

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DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I hate to see them having it. It's a rough disease. You know, that's a disease we used to be able to control, but somehow those microbes have gotten stronger and smarter, they're like an army. Even with great advancement, the germs have really become relatively stronger than they were. And things that used to work for pneumonia don't work as well anymore. But we'll help. Anybody that has that kind of a problem, we're always willing to help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The former White House COVID response chief tells CNN there are serious, serious concerns about this incident. Listen.

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DR. ASHISH JHA, FORMER WH COVID RESPONSE COORDINATOR: There are a lot of red flags. One is she should have probably been vaccinated against it and should have started antibiotics right away. And there's no evidence that that happened or that it responded. Second, 200 people under quarantine, that is not what you would expect from a simple lab accident. Last point that I would make that's really important here is Russia has a very extensive biological weapons program. And we don't know if this lab was involved in that program, but it is concerning given the lack of information coming from the Russian authorities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: CNN Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen is following all of these developments from Berlin. Fred's joining us right now. Fred, are we getting any more information out of Russian officials? FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Wolf. It's not very much throughout the course of the day. There was actually several questions put to the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov throughout a call that he regularly does with journalists where he was asked on several occasions whether or not there were any new information. He was also asked about that comment that U.S. President Donald Trump made. He said that he was very happy for the offer for help, especially when countries help one another. But he also said that any new information would come from Russia's agency to combat infectious diseases. And so, far, that agency has not issued a new statement.

Now, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he also came out and urged the Russians to be as transparent as possible about this matter. Here's what he had to say.

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MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF STATE: We're glad to be aware of it. We're watching it very closely hour by hour. We have multiple agencies, not just in the United States, but internationally that are watching it. We encourage Russia to be transparent and share more information with the world so that all of us could react accordingly and appropriately. But we'll have to make those decisions on the basis of the information that we're learning and are being provided. And so, far, that's still quite limited. But hopefully, that will change in the next few hours and days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PLEITGEN: Similar to and also, Wolf, from the European Center for Disease Control, they put out a statement just a couple of minutes ago where they spoke of suspected case of the plague, but also acknowledged that they only have limited information at hand. Also, the governor of that state where all of this is happening in the southeast of Russia, he was asked as well in a public setting. He said everything is under control and that the city where this is going on, as he put it, is functioning as normal. Wolf.

BLITZER: All right. Fred Pleitgen in Berlin for us. Fred, thank you very, very much. Pamela.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Wolf, just ahead, new CNN reporting. What we're learning about talks between the U.S. and China on possible nuclear site visits as concerns grow about a new arms race.

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[11:35:00]

BROWN: Happening now, police in the U.K. have arrested a 22-year-old British man of suspicion of terror offenses. It's all part of the investigation of a suspected plot targeting an English air base where U.S. bombers were kept. Six other people were arrested but have been released on bail. The U.S. removed all Air Force bombers from that base after an unspecified new threat.

Coco Gauff is speaking out about a, quote, "insane" amount of racist comments after a controversial point at the China Open. The two-time Grand Slam champion stopped a rally after an electronic board lining the court flickered. The chair umpire ordered that point to be replayed and then Gauff later won the match. She also posted, quote, "You can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being a racist. Lastly, I'm not a cheater or a thief."

And the 2026 Nobel Prize for physics goes to Belgian astrophysicist Francis Halzen. The 82-year-old is working to detect so-called ghostly cosmic particles. They will allow scientists to better understand distant galaxies and exploding stars. Halzen said it was a, quote, "great surprise to win." Wolf.

BLITZER: Congratulations to him. Also happening now, we're learning the FBI opened preliminary investigations of anti-ice protesters in Southern California in early 2025. That according to a former FBI intelligence official in a whistleblower complaint. Jill Fields believes the move violated the law and agency policy.

In at least one of the cases, the FBI began preliminary investigations after President Trump saw a TikTok video of a demonstration and demanded those protesters be investigated.

[11:40:00]

CNN Holmes Lybrand has been working on this story for us. He's joining us here in the Situation Room. Holmes, thanks very much for coming in. You and your colleagues have reviewed the complaint. Tell us about that.

HOLMES LYBRAND, CNN REPORTER: That's right. And as you mentioned, these instances both happened in early 2025. So, that's the beginning of Trump's renewed push on immigration. These protests were both around immigration and ICE efforts.

Now, the one that you mentioned, this video that was allegedly viewed by Trump, according to this whistleblower complaint. He had viewed this and Kash Patel had told others in FBI that Trump viewed this video, which just showed protesters with megaphones warning neighbors about the presence of ICE and among other things. And he saw this video and he was so angry that he told Patel that he was demanding arrests and he wanted arrests from these protesters.

Now, this whistleblower alleges that these violated core First Amendment protections and that the FBI should have never opened such investigations. The Justice Department, in a comment to me, said that they defend the First Amendment, they protect it. But what they don't protect is people really impeding law enforcement.

BLITZER: Holmes Lybrand, thanks very much for that update. Appreciate it very, very much. Pamela.

BROWN: All right. Wolf, happening now, a potential breakthrough in relations between the U.S. and China. New sources tell CNN that they're discussing visits to each other's nuclear facilities. The discussions come amid growing concerns about China's expanding nuclear weapons program, especially now that the historic arms trade between the U.S. and Russia has expired.

CNN National Security Correspondent Kylie Atwood is here with her new reporting. What are you learning, Kylie?

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so we've learned that in recent months, U.S. and Chinese officials have discussed the possibility of reciprocal nuclear site visits. So, effectively, you know, the Chinese coming to the United States nuclear labs and potentially their nuclear test sites and U.S. officials doing the same in China. And that the Trump administration is really focused on continuing these discussions over the course of the following months when they're expected to be further discussions between U.S. and Chinese officials on this topic.

Now, we should note that this is not something that was happened in formal channels. These were not a formal series of meetings. They happened on the sidelines of other diplomatic gatherings. But they do demonstrate that there might be a willingness on the behalf of China to engage in some buildup in terms of trust on each side. And one of the sources that I spoke to actually said that it was China who proposed this idea to the United States, which is significant.

Now, the context here, obviously, as you said, Pamela, is that there is a rapid nuclear buildup happening in China right now. U.S. officials have been concerned about this for quite some time, thanks to a recent CNN investigative report. We have some satellite images that show the massive infrastructure buildup in China that has backed this nuclear weapons buildup. And China will not engage in conversations right now with the United States that could put a limit on that buildup.

And that's significant because right now the United States has about 5,000 total nuclear warheads. China only has 600. But over the course of the next decade, they're expected to produce hundreds of more warheads. So, get closer to the United States on that front. And then the other part of this conversation is that President Trump has been interested in a nuclear arms agreement between the U.S. and China and Russia, dating back to his first term. It's something that the U.S. officials have been trying to do. They have not had tangible progress on this front.

But if there are these agreements between the U.S. and China, it could build some momentum towards that end. Key, of course, because the final existing nuclear arms agreement between the U.S. and Russia expired last year. So, right now, there are no actual global restraints on this issue as this Chinese buildup is happening. That's frightening, actually.

BROWN: All right. Kylie Atwood, thank you so much. Wolf.

BLITZER: And coming up, growing outbreak. Pennsylvania health officials say there are now more than a thousand cases of measles just this year. The largest outbreak in more than 30 years. A pediatric infectious disease doctor will join us live to discuss and to explain what you need to know.

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[11:45:00]

BROWN: Happening now, Ukraine is slamming Russia with a massive drone attack. And you can see smoke right here and fire in the sky above an oil depot in the Moscow region. Russian authorities say one person died in the strikes. Ukraine's president says he plans to increase attacks on Russia's oil refineries as a response to Russia's escalating strikes on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.

And Florida investigators are trying to piece together what caused a deadly school bus crash in Winter Haven. Authorities say two people were killed, including a 10th grade student, after a car slammed into a school bus, causing it to lose control, hit a jeep and overturn. The bus was carrying 37 students on their way to school. More than 20 people were taken to the hospital, most of them children.

And the Chicago woman shot several times by a CBP agent last year is suing the federal government. The shooting happened during an immigration enforcement surge in the city. Authorities initially said Marimar Martinez tried to ram the agent's vehicle before the shooting and charged her accordingly, but prosecutors later dropped the case.

[11:50:00]

BLITZER: And happening now, measles cases are surging, surging in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeing its worst outbreak in more than 30 years. It has surpassed 1,000 cases. Health officials say it started in April and includes nearly 200 hospitalizations and five deaths. They attribute the spread to low vaccination rates.

Joining us now is pediatric infectious disease physician, Dr. Evan Shirey. Doctor, you are also working on the front lines of this historic outbreak. What are you seeing in these patients?

DR. EVAN SHIREY, PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE PHYSICIAN AND PENN STATE HEALTH GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: Yes, thanks for having me. I am seeing a lot of babies and a lot of children who have been admitted to our hospital who are suffering from severe complications from the virus itself and from secondary infections.

BROWN: How concerning is that to you?

DR. SHIREY: It's highly concerning. This is a virus that we had fully eliminated in this country for decades. And anytime I see a baby or a child who's suffering, it's very difficult as a physician. But when I know that it's something that's fully preventable, it's all the more hard to take.

BROWN: The outbreak has now crossed over 1,000 cases. How would you describe just how critical the situation is right now?

DR. SHIREY: Yes, I would just like to speak to the fact that over 1,000 cases is a statistic that people see reported on the news. Each one of those is a person. Each one of those is a baby or a child or an adult who is going through real pain and suffering. And so, this is highly, highly concerning. And I'd say the rate of the increase of cases is also very concerning to see.

BLITZER: We know, Doctor, that this is a highly contagious infection that is largely prevented by a two-dose vaccine series. What are the conversations with your patients like once they've been diagnosed?

DR. SHIREY: You're absolutely correct. The measles virus is incredibly infectious. It spreads like wildfire. The reason this outbreak is happening is not a failure of the vaccination. It's failure to vaccinate. So, these conversations about the safety and the efficacy of the vaccine, which, again, the vaccine is very, very safe and is extremely effective. These conversations are so important. It's something that I've been doing very often with my patients and families.

BLITZER: How do you advise parents in your area, doctor, that have children too young for a routine MMR vaccine? How at risk are they right now?

DR. SHIREY: Yes. So, infants are one of the main groups who are at risk because they are not eligible for the MMR vaccine. I do want to share with parents that in the setting of this outbreak, we are able to safely give the MMR vaccine as soon as six months of age. And to share with viewers, that is what I will be doing for my son who's two months old. So, that is the best intervention that we have, is to use that MMR vaccine at six months of age and then just to do what we can to protect them from exposure before that point in time.

BROWN: But, I mean, how concerned are you as a doctor with a two- month-old right now, given this outbreak? Are you worried your two- month-old could get it?

DR. SHIREY: So, I've been very concerned for my community. I've never imagined as a doctor that I would be treating patients with measles. And I never imagined that as a father, I would be worried about my own baby's risk of an infection in our community.

BLITZER: What do you say, Doctor, to parents who think measles is just a harmless childhood rash?

DR. SHIREY: I just share with them that I, every day I'm seeing the pain and the suffering. I'm seeing children who have encephalitis who aren't able to recognize their own mother or don't know where they are and are scared and confused. I've seen babies and children who have respiratory complications and are gasping for air, babies who are dehydrated on fluids and can't take a bottle. The effects of this are very real. And so, I share that these are real people and real suffering.

BROWN: Pennsylvania says there have been five deaths from the measles. There's been some discrepancy and disagreement with the administration. But can you tell us a little bit more about that? DR. SHIREY: Yes, I think the political fighting about those deaths has been something that's been very frustrating. As someone who's here on the front lines and seeing the pain that this is causing day in and day out, what I can share with the public is that this virus is deadly. We expect a case fatality rate historically of about one in a thousand. And with this outbreak, we have seen five deaths already. This virus is very serious. It can cause life-changing permanent disabilities. And it can also cause death, unfortunately.

BLITZER: Were those five deaths children or adults?

DR. SHIREY: Both. From what is publicly reported, we have had babies, teenagers and adults who have died. We have had individuals who have immunocompromising or other health conditions who have died. We also have individuals who, from the public reporting, seem to have been previously healthy who have also had severe cases of encephalitis. And in some cases, those have been fatal. And that matches what we know about the virus. This virus comes after individuals who are vulnerable, and it can also come after the healthy.

[11:55:00]

BROWN: I'm just wondering from your point of view what it's been like for their families or for the parents of a child who died or got really sick, and they chose not to vaccinate their child. What are you hearing from them?

DR. SHIREY: These, without sharing anything specific about any particular individual, I can share broadly that these situations are absolutely tragic. It's, my experience is loving, caring parents at the bedside who want to do the best for their child. And these situations are just awful tragedies and it's really difficult to see families go through that.

BLITZER: Totally awful. Well, Dr. Evan Shirey, thanks so much for all the important work you're doing. We really appreciate you joining us this morning.

DR. SHIREY: Thank you very much.

BLITZER: And to our viewers, thanks very much for joining us.

BLITZER: We'll see you back here tomorrow morning at 10:00 Eastern. Inside Politics Today with Mani Raju starts after a quick break.

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