From Mpox to Influenza – USAID Collapse and CDC Blackout Upend WHO Response to Deadly Outbreaks
February 12, 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) is grappling with severe challenges in responding to global health crises, including the deadly mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following the collapse of U.S. funding and cooperation. The sudden halt of USAID support has crippled humanitarian efforts in Uganda, DRC, and beyond, affecting disease surveillance, vaccine rollouts, and emergency responses. Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ceased sharing influenza data, hindering global preparedness for seasonal flu. WHO officials stress the urgent need for continued international collaboration, warning that the loss of U.S. partnerships could significantly weaken global health security.
The withdrawal of U.S. funding and technical cooperation is disrupting global health responses to critical outbreaks, including the escalating mpox crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The abrupt cessation of USAID support has forced NGOs to halt life-saving interventions, leaving millions without medical aid. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the consequences extend beyond funding, affecting emergency operations in Uganda, Sudan, and Gaza.
In the DRC, mpox cases are surging amidst ongoing conflict, with only a fraction of patients accessing care. WHO reports severe shortages of essential medical supplies as M23 rebels seize control of North Kivu, displacing hundreds of thousands. The organization is struggling to maintain operations, with limited resources for mpox containment, cholera prevention, and maternal healthcare.
The situation is exacerbated by the collapse of U.S.-WHO technical cooperation. The CDC has halted reporting of influenza data through global surveillance platforms, jeopardizing the formulation of the next seasonal flu vaccine. WHO’s Maria Van Kerkhove warns that the absence of U.S. input could weaken global preparedness against emerging influenza strains, including the more severe H5N1 avian flu.
Further complicating efforts, WHO has lost $7.5 million in direct U.S. funding for mpox response, impairing vaccination campaigns and disease tracking in Africa. WHO officials stress that beyond financial setbacks, the dissolution of collaborative networks—like the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN)—poses a grave risk to global disease monitoring.
Despite efforts to diversify funding and distribute financial burdens among member states, the abrupt U.S. disengagement has created significant vulnerabilities. As global health officials urge continued international cooperation, the loss of U.S. support underscores the fragility of global health security and the urgent need for sustainable, multilateral commitments.