US President Donald Trump on Monday at ​the White House told reporters that ‌the United States will help Russia after a laboratory worker died at a plague research institute ​in Siberia.

Trump told reporters as he ​left the White House for a trip ⁠to Nebraska that the outbreak is a “big ​problem for Russia.”

A laboratory worker at a ​plague research institute in Siberia fell ill and died in undisclosed circumstances, prompting authorities to quarantine dozens ​of people.

The death has sparked public health ​fears on social media, but Russian authorities said on ‌Monday ⁠the situation was under control.

“Well, I hate to see them having it,” Trump said. “It’s a rough disease.”

He said the US would ​do what ​it could ⁠to help Russia.

Trump has said he considers Russian President Vladimir ​Putin someone whom he can work ​with ⁠despite tensions over Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“We’ll help,” Trump said. “Anybody that has that kind ⁠of ​a problem, we’re always will ​to help.”