WORLD NEWS

WHO Faces Communication Issues: The World Health Organization (WHO) struggles to communicate with the US regarding the ongoing bird flu outbreak due to the US withdrawal.

By Aniket Chakraborty

Feb 13, 2025

Arrow
Arrow

WHO Spokesperson’s Statement: WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier stated that traditional communication channels have been disrupted, making it challenging to maintain contact.

2

Arrow

H5N1 Outbreak in the US: Since April 2024, nearly 70 farm workers in the US have been infected with H5N1 bird flu, though human-to-human transmission has not been confirmed.

3

Arrow

Risk for Farm Workers: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that individuals with prolonged exposure to birds or livestock are at higher risk of infection.

4

Arrow

Concerns Over Information Sharing: The US withdrawal from the WHO raises concerns about the sharing of critical information regarding emerging viruses and global health risks.

5

Arrow

Trump’s Executive Order: On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the US from the WHO, complicating international health collaboration.

6

Arrow

Global Health Concerns: Countries are worried that the US’s exit from the WHO may impede timely global coordination and data sharing on health threats like the bird flu.

7

Arrow

Second Strain of Bird Flu Found: A second strain of bird flu has been discovered in dairy cattle in Nevada, raising concerns about the broader scope of the outbreak.

8

Arrow

WHO’s Hope for Reconsideration: Despite challenges, the WHO hopes the US will reconsider its decision to withdraw from the agency for the benefit of global health.

9

Global Implications for Future Pandemics: The ongoing difficulties with US-World Health Organization communication could affect future pandemic preparedness and response efforts worldwide.

10