In brief
Experts warn that the U.S. exit from WHO disrupts decades of international cooperation, jeopardizing efforts to manage the world’s deadliest pathogens like smallpox. The legacy of smallpox eradication and its secure management is now under threat, potentially opening doors to various public health risks.
Former CDC director Thomas R. Frieden emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous oversight of smallpox virus storage, while medical professionals stress the risks of discontinued inspections. As the global community grapples with the implications of this move, concerns grow regarding the safety of smallpox remaining in laboratories, especially with a secretive U.S. approach potentially raising fears of biological weaponization.The World Health Organization historically played a crucial role in the eradication of smallpox, but its exit draws a dark cloud over the future of not only smallpox research but also global health collaboration.In the late 20th century, smallpox was eradicated due to efforts led by WHO, yet samples remain in secured facilities—one located in Atlanta and the other in Russia. The stringent biosafety measures in place at these facilities might be compromised without ongoing international oversight, compromising research that may be vital should smallpox ever resurface. The audacious decision to leave WHO could dismantle safety frameworks established over decades, raising the risks posed by one of history's deadliest viruses.
