Trump Administration Blames WHO for Slow Ebola Response in Congo

The Trump administration has continued to deflect responsibility for the delayed U.S. response to an ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by criticizing the World Health Organization (WHO). Local health workers in Congo are struggling with insufficient supplies and testing materials, exacerbated by a rare strain of the virus known as Bundibugyo that standard tests often miss. At least 63 people have died so far, including one person in neighboring Uganda, according to WHO data, though experts believe this figure is likely an undercount due to the outbreak's location in a remote and conflict-ridden area.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently visited the region and acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, the response remains behind schedule. He emphasized that despite these challenges, efforts are underway to catch up with the outbreak’s progression under the leadership of Congo's government. However, health experts argue that Trump administration policies have severely hindered global disease control efforts.

These policies include dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and withdrawing from WHO, which previously made the United States the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to Congo. USAID funding accounted for more than 70 percent of humanitarian work in the region before budget cuts began affecting public health initiatives. The administration's actions have also reportedly restricted communication between U.S. health officials and their counterparts at WHO.

In response to criticism over the delayed reaction, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott defended his boss while criticizing WHO’s handling of the situation. This stance reflects a broader misunderstanding among Trump officials about how international health regulations operate and the roles played by various entities in managing such crises. Public health experts like Margaret Harris, a former senior WHO official, argue that the administration's approach reveals a lack of comprehension regarding established protocols for declaring public health emergencies.

Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, clarified that member states are responsible for declaring outbreaks, with WHO informing other nations and providing support once an outbreak is officially declared. This process was followed in Congo and Uganda when they declared the presence of Ebola on May 15 and 16 respectively, leading to WHO's declaration of a public health emergency on May 17.