President Joe Biden’s administration is taking proactive steps to prevent future pandemics by launching a program to help 50 countries identify and respond to infectious diseases. The goal is to avoid a repeat of the COVID-19 outbreak that brought the world to a standstill in 2020.
U.S. government officials will collaborate with these countries to enhance testing, surveillance, communication, and preparedness for potential outbreaks. The program will involve various government agencies, including the State Department, CDC, Health and Human Services, and USAID.
One country that has already benefited from this initiative is Congo, where the U.S. government is assisting with the response to an mpox virus outbreak. This virus, similar to smallpox, causes painful skin lesions and was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization last year.
The White House is set to release a website listing the participating countries, with the aim of getting 100 countries on board by the end of the year. President Biden has allocated $1.2 billion in his budget proposal for global health safety efforts, underscoring the administration’s commitment to preventing future pandemics.
This program underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing global health challenges and highlights the Biden administration’s proactive approach to safeguarding public health on a global scale.