In a move that has stunned both public health experts and international health organizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been ordered to immediately cease its collaborations with the World Health Organization (WHO). The decision, communicated in a memo sent by CDC official John Nkengasong on Sunday night, has left the global health community grappling with the potential repercussions.
The memo, which was reviewed by The Associated Press, outlines a stop-work policy that applies to all CDC staff engaged in any form of collaboration with WHO. This includes participation in technical working groups, advisory boards, cooperative agreements, and other collaborative efforts, whether in person or virtual. The policy also prohibits CDC staff from visiting WHO offices, a drastic shift from the longstanding partnership between the two agencies.
This abrupt cessation of work comes at a critical time when the world is facing multiple public health threats. Experts argue that it will significantly hinder ongoing efforts to combat outbreaks of the Marburg virus and mpox, particularly in Africa, where the two diseases have posed significant challenges. The timing is particularly concerning, as health authorities are also monitoring potential bird flu outbreaks among U.S. livestock, further exacerbating the global health landscape.
The unexpected order follows the recent announcement of President Trump’s executive order, which initiated the process for the U.S. to withdraw from WHO. While the withdrawal is not immediate and requires approval from Congress, the decision to halt communications and collaborations with WHO has been implemented swiftly. The move adds to the growing uncertainty around U.S. participation in international health efforts, especially given the long history of collaboration between U.S. health agencies and WHO.
Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a public health expert at the University of Southern California, expressed concern about the abruptness of the decision. Klausner, who has worked with WHO on initiatives aimed at combating sexually transmitted infections, explained that the collaboration between the U.S. and WHO has been a critical component in global health efforts. “Talking to WHO is a two-way street,” he said, emphasizing that both the U.S. and WHO benefit from each other’s expertise. The partnership has allowed U.S. health officials to stay informed about new developments, emerging outbreaks, and innovative treatment methods information that could help safeguard both U.S. citizens abroad and at home.
The halt in communication comes at a time when many had expected a more gradual disengagement from WHO, leaving the public health community unprepared for such an abrupt disruption. The CDC’s decision to cut ties with WHO is not only a setback in terms of international collaboration but also raises concerns about how the U.S. will manage future public health crises without this crucial partnership.
While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has yet to respond to inquiries about the policy, the decision marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign health policy and its approach to global public health challenges. As experts continue to assess the long-term implications of this move, the immediate impact on efforts to control and mitigate infectious disease outbreaks remains uncertain.
As the world faces mounting health threats, the sudden stoppage of CDC’s work with WHO serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between national interests and global health cooperation. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how the U.S. will navigate its public health strategy without the collaborative framework that has long been a cornerstone of its global health efforts.
