U.S. public health officials have been directed to discontinue collaborations with the World Health Organization (WHO) effective immediately.
John Nkengasong, an official from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued a memorandum to senior leaders within the agency on Sunday evening, instructing all staff involved with the WHO to cease their activities and “await further guidance.”
Experts have indicated that this abrupt cessation is unexpected and will hinder efforts to investigate and mitigate outbreaks of the Marburg virus and mpox in Africa, in addition to addressing emerging global health threats.
This policy shift coincides with global health authorities monitoring bird flu outbreaks among livestock in the United States.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of Nkengasong’s memorandum, which specified that the cessation of work applies to “all CDC staff engaging with WHO through technical working groups, coordinating centers, advisory boards, cooperative agreements, or other means—whether in person or virtual.”
The memo further clarifies that CDC personnel are prohibited from visiting WHO offices.
Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating the process for the United States to withdraw from the WHO; however, this action will not take immediate effect.
Withdrawal from the WHO necessitates Congressional approval, adherence to financial obligations for the current fiscal year, and the provision of a one-year notification.
“Talking to WHO is a two-way street,” he added, noting that the two agencies benefit from each other’s expertise. The collaboration allows the U.S. to learn about new tests, new treatments and emerging outbreaks — information “which can help us protect Americans abroad and at home,” Klausner said.
According to the AP, The CDC details nearly 30 people to WHO and sends many millions of dollars to it through cooperative agreements.
The U.S. agency also has some of the world’s leading experts in infectious diseases and public health threats, and the two agencies’ staffers are in daily contact about health dangers and how to stop them.
The collaboration halt isn’t the only global health effect of Trump’s executive orders. Last week, the president froze spending on another critical program, PEPFAR or the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
The anti-HIV program is credited with saving 25 million lives, including those of 5.5 million children, since it was started by Republican President George W. Bush. It was included in a Trump administration freeze on foreign aid spending slated to last at least three months.
