In a surprising turn of events, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been instructed to halt all collaborations with the World Health Organization (WHO), effective immediately. This sudden directive, issued by CDC official John Nkengasong, has left many public health experts reeling as they grapple with the implications of this abrupt decision.
The memo sent by Nkengasong on Sunday night mandated that all CDC staff currently engaged in any form of collaboration with the WHO must cease these activities and await further instructions. This halt applies to all forms of engagement, including technical working groups, coordinating centers, advisory boards, and cooperative agreements. The directive even extends to virtual interactions, with CDC staff prohibited from visiting WHO offices.
This move comes on the heels of President Trump’s executive order to initiate the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO. While this order does not take immediate effect and requires congressional approval and financial obligations to be met, the immediate cessation of collaborations catches many off guard, including renowned public health expert Dr. Jeffrey Klausner from the University of Southern California.
According to Klausner, the abrupt halt in communications with WHO poses a significant challenge, disrupting vital channels of information exchange crucial for combating infectious diseases and emerging outbreaks. Klausner emphasized the importance of the two-way street relationship between WHO and U.S. health officials, underscoring the benefits derived from shared expertise and knowledge.
The unexpected nature of this decision has left many in the public health community bewildered and concerned about the potential repercussions on global health efforts. As the implications of this directive unfold, the future of U.S.-WHO collaborations remains uncertain, raising questions about the broader impact on international health initiatives.
