Illinois becomes second state to join WHO’s global disease network after US withdrawal

Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that Illinois is now the second state to join the World Health Organization’s global disease network, despite the Trump administration completing the U.S.’ withdrawal from the WHO.The move comes after California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said his state will be part of the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network, which is tasked with rapidly detecting and responding to emerging public health threats.
Pritzker’s office said the move means the state will now have access to timely global alerts and international response capabilities that are “essential to protecting Illinois residents from emerging disease threats.”
​“By withdrawing from the World Health Organization, [President] Donald Trump has undermined science and weakened our nation’s ability to detect and respond to global health threats,” the governor said in a statement. “I refuse to sit idly by and let that happen.
“By joining the [WHO’s] coordinated network we are ensuring that our public health leaders … have the information, expertise, and partnerships they need to protect the people of our state,” he added.
The announcement comes after the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department confirmed last month that the U.S. completed its withdrawal from the WHO over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

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