U.S. Public Health Officials Told to Stop Working with WHO
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials have been instructed to stop all collaborations with the World Health Organization (WHO) effective immediately. A memo sent by CDC official John Nkengasong to senior leaders at the agency on Sunday night told staff to cease all work with WHO and await further guidance.
The sudden stoppage has caught experts by surprise and is expected to set back work on investigating and combating outbreaks of Marburg virus and mpox in Africa, as well as other global health threats. The move also comes as health authorities are monitoring bird flu outbreaks among U.S. livestock.
The CDC order is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to withdraw from WHO. Last week, President Trump issued an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the organization, but that does not take immediate effect. Leaving WHO requires approval from Congress and the U.S. must meet its financial obligations for the current fiscal year.
Experts warn that stopping communications and meetings with WHO is a major problem, as the collaboration between the two organizations is a two-way street. WHO and U.S. health officials benefit from each other’s expertise, allowing the U.S. to learn about new tests and treatments, as well as emerging outbreaks.
The move has also affected other global health programs, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which provides HIV medication to over 20 million people. PEPFAR has been credited with saving 25 million lives since its inception in 2003. If funding is stopped, people are likely to die and HIV could resurge, according to the International AIDS Society.