Key Takeaways:

• The CDC has ordered its staff to stop all collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) effective immediately.
• This sudden decision follows an executive order by President Trump aimed at withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO.
• Experts warn that this halt will impede vital public health initiatives, including responses to emerging diseases like Marburg virus and bird flu.

In a surprising move, U.S. public health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been instructed to cease all activities with the World Health Organization (WHO) immediately. This dramatic change follows a memo from CDC official John Nkengasong, which stipulated that all agency personnel involved with the WHO must stop their collaborations and “await further guidance.” According to reports from Los Angeles Times, this order applies to all CDC staff engaged with the WHO through various means, including advisory boards and cooperative agreements, effectively shutting down direct communication and collaboration channels.

Health experts have reacted strongly to this unexpected shift, with Dr. Jeffrey Klausner from the University of Southern California labeling it a significant problem for public health efforts. “Stopping communications and meetings with WHO is a big problem,” he stated, emphasizing that a two-way flow of information is crucial for addressing health risks that threaten both the U.S. and global populations. The halt places crucial ongoing investigations into infectious diseases like the Marburg virus and mpox at risk, as noted by the Guardian.

This unexpected move aligns with an executive order from President Trump that initiated the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO. While the order does not take immediate effect and requires Congressional approval and a one-year notice, the repercussions of such a policy are already being felt across various public health initiatives. As reported by AP News, the order not only halts collaboration with the WHO but also suspends most communications between federal health agencies and the public.

As the U.S. faces increasing health threats, including bird flu outbreaks in livestock and potential pandemics, the timing of this decision raises alarm among health authorities. The collaboration with WHO has historically allowed U.S. health officials to remain alert to emerging threats, thus safeguarding both American and global health, according to experts who stress the advantages of shared knowledge and expertise in combating global health challenges.

In addition to ceasing interactions with the WHO, the Trump administration's recent freeze of funding related to critical health programs such as PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) threatens to reverse progress in addressing HIV and AIDS globally, pointing to broader implications of the current policy shifts. Dr. Beatriz Grinsztejn, president of the International AIDS Society, highlighted concerns that a halt in PEPFAR funding would endanger millions relying on life-saving HIV treatments.

The future of U.S. public health strategy remains uncertain amid these developments, as collaboration with international health organizations is vital for effective disease control. Health advocates and experts continue to voice their concerns while awaiting further directives from the CDC and the Trump administration.

A WHO representative directed questions regarding the U.S. withdrawal to domestic officials. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has not provided immediate comments regarding this matter.

For more details, refer to the articles from TIME and HuffPost.