U.S. President Donald Trump, when asked yesterday about the death of a Russian lab technician due to a “pneumonia of unknown etiology,” offered American help. And Russia’s national public health agency, Rospotrebnadzor, today offered its help to the U.S. to combat the outbreak of measles in a number of American states. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented that “it’s always very good when mutual assistance is offered.”

Earlier, Rospotrebnadzor had reported the Oct. 2 death of a lab technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East from “pneumonia of unknown etiology.” They have placed under observation almost 200 people, have tested all those who could have come in contact with the technician, and have worked with the World Health Organization. As of today, local Russian officials state that the situation is under control and stable, that 60% of the quarantined individuals so far have been cleared and released.

WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said that all of the deceased patient’s contacts have “reportedly been identified and are being monitored for illness, and none to date have shown symptoms of illness.”

Trump’s comments yesterday included saying that “everybody who has that kind of a problem, we’ll always help.” He added that it’s unclear exactly how the U.S. would help, but “I hate to see them having it. It’s a rough disease.”

For its part, Rospotrebnadzor issued a statement, reported by TASS, which said: “The Russian Federation is ready to assist the United States in combating outbreaks of infectious diseases.” It referred to the outbreak of measles, citing four measles deaths in Pennsylvania and New York state’s emergency declaration yesterday. It also cited the re-emergence of typhus and legionellosis, plus the first fatality from plague in New Mexico’s Santa Fe County.

The agency explained that “Russia has extensive practical and scientific experience in ensuring epidemiological well-being both at home and abroad. To help prevent and control outbreaks of infections, Russia is ready to provide the US side with specialists, laboratory equipment, and highly effective diagnostic and preventive tools, which can help resume joint work between Russia and the United States in protecting public health from infectious threats.”