WHO Calls on US to Share COVID-19 Origin Intel

The global health agency urges transparency despite US withdrawal from the organization.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The World Health Organization has called on the United States government to share any intelligence it may have regarding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. This request comes despite the US having withdrawn from the WHO in recent years.

Why it matters

Understanding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for preventing future outbreaks and developing effective public health strategies. The WHO has been leading international efforts to investigate the pandemic's origins, but has faced challenges obtaining information from certain countries.

The details

In a statement, the WHO urged "all countries" to share relevant information that could shed light on how the SARS-CoV-2 virus first emerged. This includes any intelligence or data the US government may possess. The request comes despite the United States having officially withdrawn from the WHO in 2021 under the previous presidential administration.

  • The WHO issued its call for transparency on February 11, 2026.

The players

World Health Organization

The United Nations agency responsible for international public health.

United States

A member state of the WHO that withdrew from the organization in 2021.

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What’s next

The WHO has stated it will continue to pursue all available leads and evidence to determine the origins of COVID-19, and has called on all countries to cooperate fully with its investigation.

The takeaway

The WHO's call for the US to share COVID-19 origin intelligence highlights the ongoing global effort to understand how this pandemic began, which is crucial for preventing future outbreaks, despite political tensions and national withdrawals from international health organizations.