The Trump administration has issued an immediate directive halting all collaboration between U.S. public health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO), following an executive order from President Donald Trump last week to begin the process of withdrawing from the international health agency.
In a memo sent to senior leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sunday night, John Nkengasong, a top CDC official, instructed all agency staff to immediately cease working with the WHO in any capacity. The directive affects all ongoing and planned collaborations, advising staff to “await further guidance.”
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The order is expected to significantly impact joint efforts in combating global health threats such as the Marburg virus, mpox outbreaks in Africa, and the recent bird flu outbreaks among U.S. livestock that have raised alarms among health experts.
According to the memo obtained, the suspension applies to all forms of CDC engagement with WHO, including:
- Technical working groups
- Coordinating centers
- Advisory boards
- Cooperative agreements
- Any in-person or virtual collaborations
Additionally, CDC personnel have been instructed to refrain from visiting WHO offices.
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Public health experts have expressed concern that the sudden halt in cooperation could undermine critical efforts to monitor and respond to emerging health crises. The collaboration between the CDC and WHO has been instrumental in managing outbreaks and ensuring timely responses to public health threats worldwide.
While the executive order to withdraw from WHO has been signed, the process is far from immediate. Under international agreements, the U.S. must fulfill its financial commitments for the current fiscal year and provide a one-year notice before officially departing. Additionally, the withdrawal requires congressional approval, which could spark significant debate given the potential ramifications for global public health initiatives.
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As the situation develops, health officials and policymakers will likely grapple with how to fill the void left by the absence of WHO collaboration. The CDC is expected to issue further guidance to its staff on how to navigate global health challenges without WHO’s support.
For now, all CDC personnel are expected to comply with the directive and await additional instructions from the administration.
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