U.S. Health Officials Instructed to Halt Collaborations with WHO

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In a surprising move, U.S. public health officials have been directed to immediately cease all collaborations with the World Health Organization (WHO). The directive came from John Nkengasong, a senior official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who sent a memo to agency leaders on January 27, 2025. The memo specified that all CDC staff engaged with the WHO must stop their work and await further instructions.

Experts have expressed concern that this sudden withdrawal will hinder efforts to combat outbreaks of the Marburg virus and mpox, as well as complicate ongoing monitoring of bird flu threats among U.S. livestock. The directive applies to all interactions, including technical working groups, advisory boards, and in-person visits to WHO offices.

This halt in collaboration follows an executive order issued by President Trump, which initiated the process for the United States to formally withdraw from the WHO. However, this withdrawal requires congressional approval and completion of financial obligations for the current fiscal year.

Public health experts have criticized the abrupt nature of this decision, highlighting that communication and cooperation with the WHO are vital for sharing information on emerging health threats. The memo has left many in the health community stunned, as they were not expecting such a swift action.

The CDC has yet to provide further comments regarding the memo, and inquiries directed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have gone unanswered.

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