The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over communication difficulties with the United States following the country's withdrawal from the UN health agency.
The issue has become particularly pressing amid the ongoing bird flu outbreak, with WHO officials struggling to maintain traditional channels of contact with US health authorities.
Christian Lindmeier, a spokesperson for the WHO, addressed the situation at a press briefing in Geneva, stating that communication has been significantly disrupted.
He noted that the usual methods of coordination between WHO and the US have been cut off, making it harder to share critical health information. However, he did not provide further details on the extent of the difficulties.
Since the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in the United States in April 2024, nearly 70 individuals, mostly farm workers, have been infected.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that there is no confirmed human-to-human transmission and that the overall public health risk remains low. However, people working closely with birds, poultry, or livestock remain vulnerable to infection.
The withdrawal of the US from the WHO has sparked concerns about the sharing of essential data on emerging viruses.
On January 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to formally exit the WHO, citing alleged mismanagement of the Covid-19 pandemic and concerns over the organisation’s financial demands on the US.
According to the order, the WHO placed an “unfairly onerous” financial burden on the United States compared to contributions from other nations, such as China.
Reports suggest that several countries have privately expressed concerns that the US may stop sharing information on emerging viruses, which could have serious global health consequences. The lack of coordinated efforts raises fears about the world’s ability to respond effectively to future pandemics.
The situation has become more alarming following the detection of a second strain of bird flu in dairy cattle in Nevada. The discovery has heightened concerns about the spread of the virus and the potential risks to both animal and human health.
The lack of clear communication between the US and WHO has made it more difficult to assess the situation accurately.
For decades, the US has been a crucial contributor to the WHO, providing $1.28 billion in funding between 2022 and 2023. This amount was significantly higher than Germany’s contributions, making the US the agency’s largest financial supporter.
The decision to withdraw not only affects global health cooperation but also raises questions about the future of international disease monitoring and response efforts.
Follow us
