Biden administration to assist 50 countries in preventing future pandemics

President Joe Biden’s administration has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at assisting 50 countries in identifying and responding to infectious diseases, with the primary objective of averting pandemics similar to the COVID-19 crisis that disrupted life worldwide in 2020.

U.S. government officials will provide support to countries, predominantly in Africa and Asia, to enhance their capabilities in testing, surveillance, communication, and preparedness for potential outbreaks.

President Biden highlighted that the strategy aims to proactively prevent, detect, and respond effectively to biological threats wherever they may arise. The Global Health Security Strategy is envisioned to safeguard people globally and bolster the resilience of the United States in the face of such challenges.

This initiative is introduced against the backdrop of ongoing global efforts to establish a coordinated approach to combat future pandemics. Negotiations for a pandemic treaty involving all 194 members of the World Health Organization have encountered obstacles, with disagreements arising over issues like vaccine distribution and technology transfer.

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While discussions continue, the treaty is intended to be legally binding and mandate countries to monitor pandemic risks and share scientific discoveries. However, uncertainties remain regarding the consequences for nations that opt not to comply with the treaty’s provisions.

The U.S. will push on with its global health strategy to prevent future pandemics, regardless of a pandemic treaty or not, a senior administration official told reporters on Monday.

Several U.S. government agencies — including the State Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID — will help countries refine their infectious disease response.

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Health systems around the globe have been overwhelmed with COVID-19 and other health emergencies such as Ebola, malaria and mpox, the CDC said in a statement. The new strategy will help countries rebuild their agencies, the U.S. agency explained.

“Global health security is national security, and CDC is proud to contribute its expertise, investments and rapid response to protect the health and safety of the American people and the world,” Mandy Cohen, the CDC’s director, said in a statement.

Congo is one country where work has already begun. The U.S. government is helping Congo with its response to an mpox virus outbreak, including with immunizations. Mpox, a virus that’s in the same family as the one that causes smallpox, creates painful skin lesions. The World Health Organization declared mpox a global emergency in 2022, and there have been more than 91,000 cases spanning across 100 countries to date.

The White House on Tuesday released a website with the names of the countries that are participating in the program. Biden officials are seeking to get 100 countries signed onto the program by the end of the year.

The U.S. has devoted billions of dollars, including money raised from private donations, to the effort. Biden, a Democrat, is asking for $1.2 billion for global health safety efforts in his yearly budget proposal to Congress.

With inputs from The Associated Press