by Adrian Kresnak
President Trump issued an executive order to begin withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). While the order only begins the process, the effects of the withdrawal are already here.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official, John Nkengasong, sent a memo to CDC employees telling them to cease all communication with the WHO.
The withdrawal comes as the United States faces outbreaks of Avian Influenza across the country.
Avian Influenza, also called “bird flu,” is an infectious disease caused by a virus. The strains of the virus are identified by the proteins it contains: hemagglutinin (such as H1 or H5) and neuraminidase (such as N1 or N9).
The strain H5N1 was found in cattle and humans across multiple states in 2024. The strain H5N9 was recently detected in a duck farm in California. All strains can cause severe disease in animals.
In January 2025, Louisiana reported a human death from the H5N1 virus strain. This is the first known human death from this disease in the United States.
There are at least 67 human cases. So far, all the cases appear to have been contracted by contact with infected animals or by consuming infected animal products.
The WHO tracks disease through partnerships with government agencies like the CDC.
Most countries in the world partner with the WHO. International cooperation supports public health in tracking diseases across international borders.
Tracking outbreaks is crucial to ensure that people can know whether they are at risk and how to take steps to protect themselves.
By withdrawing from the WHO, the Trump Administration has isolated the United States. His administration is silencing information about infectious diseases.
This echoes Trump’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike COVID-19, however, the outbreaks of Avian Influenza originated in American farms.
The WHO reports data received from its government partners. The WHO has the authority to declare that a specific disease has become a pandemic.
The CDC web page on Avian Influenza recommends limiting exposure to potential sources of infection.
This means avoiding close contact with sick or dead wild animals; wearing protective equipment such as masks and gloves when touching farm animals; and avoiding raw milk and raw milk products.
A vaccine for Avian Influenza exists, but it is unavailable commercially.
The U.S. government has a stockpile of doses. The Trump Administration has the power to distribute the stockpile should they choose to do so.
At the time of writing, there are no known human cases of any strain of Avian Influenza in Hawaii.
Hawaii residents who have recently visited farms on the mainland should call the Hawaii Department of Health’s Disease Reporting Line (808-586-4586) to discuss potential risks.
About Author
+ There are no comments
Add yours