In a sudden and unexpected move, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been directed to cease all collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), effective immediately. This directive came in the form of a memo from John Nkengasong, a senior CDC official, which was sent to agency leaders on Sunday night. The memo instructed all CDC staff engaged in any form of collaboration with WHO—whether through technical working groups, advisory boards, cooperative agreements, or other channels, in person or virtually—to halt their activities and “await further guidance.” It also prohibited CDC staff from visiting WHO offices.

 

The abrupt cessation of collaboration has alarmed public health experts and is expected to significantly hinder efforts to combat ongoing health crises, including outbreaks of Marburg virus and mpox in Africa, as well as the global monitoring of bird flu outbreaks among U.S. livestock. “Stopping communications and meetings with WHO is a big problem,” said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a public health expert at the University of Southern California who has worked with WHO on initiatives to combat sexually transmitted infections. Klausner described the decision as a shocking development, adding, “People thought there would be a slow withdrawal. This has really caught everyone with their pants down.”

 

The directive follows an executive order issued by President Trump last week, initiating the process for the United States to withdraw from WHO. However, the withdrawal is far from immediate and requires congressional approval, fulfillment of financial obligations for the current fiscal year, and a one-year notice period. The sudden stop-work order, therefore, represents an escalation that many experts did not anticipate.  

 

“Talking to WHO is a two-way street,” Klausner explained. He emphasized that the partnership allows U.S. health officials to gain critical insights into new tests, treatments, and emerging outbreaks that could potentially affect Americans both abroad and domestically. The collaboration also enables the sharing of U.S. expertise to assist in global health efforts. “The information exchange helps us protect Americans at home and overseas,” Klausner said.  

 

The Associated Press obtained a copy of Nkengasong’s memo, which outlined the sweeping scope of the directive. A U.S. health official, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorization to discuss the memo publicly, confirmed the stoppage.  

 

Experts have raised concerns that this abrupt severance of ties will disrupt critical ongoing projects and delay responses to emerging health threats. It also comes amid additional restrictions from the administration, which has instructed federal health agencies to limit most public communications until the end of the month.  

 

The sudden move has left many in the global health community scrambling for answers. As the world continues to face complex and interwoven health challenges.

 

Based on a report by The AP 2025-01-28

 

 

That's crazy and dangerous.

So how many will die, in the US and worldwide, as a result of Mr Trump's grandstanding?

 

Evil fellow that he is!

"Stupid is, stupid does" Forrest Gump; who seems far more intelligent than Trump.

Trump the friend of disease and pestilence.

Great news. 

 

China's puppet the WHO showed how useless and politically driven they are duing Covid. 

 

Get rid. 

13 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Great news. 

 

China's puppet the WHO showed how useless and politically driven they are duing Covid. 

 

Get rid. 

Without a doubt the way in which the WHO is run is in need of thorough reform.

 

It is however the only organisation in the world which fulfils that role. Health and fighting disease are global problems which pay no heed to political and national boundaries. The world stands on the brink of another pandemic - avian flu, which is reported as having already crossed into other species, in the US of all places! Wearing a red hat is clearly not working!

 

Moreover I would not be surprised to see funding and the role of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut dramatically.

Next, he needs to require the CDC to turn over all correspondence, especially (but not only) with the WHO.  To be analyzed by AI. 

 

I suspect there will be many skeletons in that closet.

 

22 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Moreover I would not be surprised to see funding and the role of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut dramatically.

 

With the highest spending on health care in the world (not even close), and one of the unhealthiest results in the developed world, something needs to change.

 

6 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

With the highest spending on health care in the world (not even close), and one of the unhealthiest results in the developed world, something needs to change.

 

That high spending on health care is related to the US health care system, not the who.

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

That high spending on health care is related to the US health care system, not the who.

 

Maybe.  But that's not what I was responding to.  That's why AN has that "quote selection" feature.

 

 

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Trump the friend of disease and pestilence.

God sent us Trump because he ran out of locusts