Illinois Joins WHO Global Outbreak Network After U.S. Withdrawal

Illinois is taking matters into its own hands when it comes to global health monitoring. Governor JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that the state will join the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), a move that comes after the Trump administration withdrew the United States from WHO in January 2025.

This decision represents a significant shift in how states are responding to federal health policy changes. By joining GOARN, Illinois will gain access to research, timely alerts about disease outbreaks, risk assessments, and specialized training that will help state officials respond to public health emergencies.

"By withdrawing from the World Health Organization, Donald Trump has undermined science and weakened our nation's ability to detect and respond to global health threats," Pritzker said in a news release. "I refuse to sit idly by and let that happen."

The network connects hundreds of public institutions, laboratories, academic institutions, and different levels of government to detect and respond to public health threats like COVID-19, influenza, and other diseases. Unlike many WHO meetings that involve only national governments, GOARN is open to a wider variety of groups, making it an ideal platform for state-level participation.

Illinois brings substantial resources to the organization. The state will contribute laboratory capacity including genomic sequencing and wastewater surveillance systems developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Illinois offers expertise in outbreak investigations and risk communication.

Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, emphasized the borderless nature of disease. "Disease knows no borders," he said. "The decision by the U.S. government to withdraw from the World Health Organization threatens decades of progress in global health coordination that makes Illinois residents safer."

This move is part of a broader pattern of state-level action to counter federal health policies. In 2025, Pritzker signed legislation allowing IDPH to set its own vaccine guidelines and requiring insurance companies to cover vaccines recommended by the state health department. He also joined the Governors Public Health Alliance, a coalition of 15 governors that coordinates monitoring of public health threats and shares information with the global health community.

California made a similar move in late January, joining GOARN shortly after the U.S. withdrawal from WHO became effective.

The withdrawal process itself is complicated. There is no official mechanism for leaving WHO, and the United States is the only country with the ability to do so. Experts say it's up to WHO members to determine when the departure is finalized, with the matter expected to come up in meetings in February and May.

While leaving WHO represents a significant change in U.S. global health engagement, it doesn't mean complete isolation from international health efforts. The United States will continue to participate in organizations like UNICEF and the United Nations Children's Fund.

Trump's decision to withdraw from WHO stems from accusations that the organization lacks independence and criticisms of its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has demanded reforms without specifying what those reforms should be. Interestingly, Trump attempted to leave WHO in 2020, but President Joe Biden reversed that decision upon taking office.

Tom Hughes, executive director of the Illinois Public Health Association, praised the announcement, emphasizing the importance of strong systems and partnerships in public health. "Public health works best when we are informed, connected, and prepared," he said. "Joining GOARN means Illinois public health leaders can access timely, reliable information, global expertise, and trusted partners when it matters most."

The move positions Illinois as a proactive player in global health monitoring, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow as federal health policies continue to evolve.