NEW YORK — U.S. health authorities have received directives to discontinue collaborations with the World Health Organization (WHO) immediately.
A memo from John Nkengasong, an official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was circulated among senior leaders on Sunday night, instructing all personnel involved with the WHO to cease their work and “await further guidance.”
This unexpected halt has raised concerns among experts, who indicate that it could hinder ongoing efforts to investigate and combat outbreaks of the Marburg virus and mpox in Africa, as well as other potential global health threats.
This decision also comes as health officials worldwide are keeping a close eye on bird flu incidents reported among livestock in the United States.
The memo, which was reviewed, stated that this cessation of work pertains to all CDC employees engaging with WHO through various means such as technical working groups, advisory boards, and cooperative agreements—both in-person and online.
Additionally, CDC personnel have been prohibited from visiting WHO facilities.
Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating the process for the U.S. to exit the WHO, although this withdrawal isn’t immediate; it requires Congressional approval and that the U.S. fulfill its financial commitments for the current fiscal period. The notification of withdrawal also entails giving a year’s advance notice.
Alongside this, the administration has instructed federal health agencies to limit public communication until at least the month’s end.
Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a public health expert at the University of Southern California who works with WHO on combating sexually transmitted infections, expressed that halting communication with WHO presents serious issues.
“The abruptness of this action has left many unprepared,” he commented, indicating that he learned about the directive from a colleague within the CDC.
Klausner emphasized the importance of dialogue with WHO, noting that mutual communication between the organizations allows for shared expertise and swift responses to emerging health risks, information which is crucial for safeguarding both international and domestic public health.
The CDC traditionally assigns nearly 30 personnel to work with WHO and financially supports the organization through cooperative agreements.
Their collaboration is vital, as the CDC employs some of the top specialists in infectious diseases and public health, maintaining daily interactions about health threats and prevention strategies.
This halt in collaboration is not an isolated incident tied to Trump’s executive actions; it also follows a suspension of funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a key anti-HIV initiative known for saving approximately 25 million lives, including 5.5 million children, since its inception.
PEPFAR provides critical HIV treatment to over 20 million individuals, and halting its funding could jeopardize their care, warned Beatriz Grinsztejn, president of the International AIDS Society.
“If funding stops, we could witness a resurgence of HIV, ultimately resulting in loss of life,” she stated.
An official within the health sector confirmed that the CDC is indeed suspending its partnerships with WHO but spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the memo.
Inquiries directed to the WHO regarding the withdrawal have been referred back to U.S. authorities.
The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond swiftly to requests for comments, and the CDC has not yet addressed requests for contact with Nkengasong concerning the memo.
