Illinois Joins WHO Global Outbreak Alert Network as US Withdraws

Governor Pritzker's move contrasts with the Trump administration's decision to pull out of the World Health Organization.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:07pm

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Illinois is joining the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert Response Network (GOARN), a decision that contrasts with the Trump administration's move to withdraw the United States from the WHO. The state's public health officials and local doctors say the ability to quickly access global health threat information and share medical expertise is essential, especially for hospitals like St. Anthony that treat patients from diverse backgrounds.

Why it matters

Joining GOARN will allow Illinois to stay on top of emerging worldwide illnesses and take a proactive "offensive" approach to public health threats, rather than reacting defensively once a disease reaches the state's borders. This is seen as crucial for protecting Illinois residents, especially in diverse communities.

The details

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra says the state is joining GOARN to continue an "offensive strategy" against global health threats, in contrast to the Trump administration's decision to withdraw the US from the WHO. Doctors like Dr. Alfredo Mena Lora, the medical director for infection control at St. Anthony Hospital, say the ability to quickly access alerts and technical expertise from the WHO network is essential for hospitals that treat patients from various countries.

  • On February 4, 2026, Illinois announced it is joining the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert Response Network.
  • In 2020, the Trump administration announced the US would withdraw from the World Health Organization.

The players

JB Pritzker

The governor of Illinois who announced the state is joining the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert Response Network.

Alfredo Mena Lora

The medical director for infection control at St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago, who says the ability to access global health threat information from the WHO network is essential for hospitals that treat diverse patient populations.

Sameer Vohra

The director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, who says joining GOARN will allow the state to take a proactive "offensive strategy" against global health threats.

Donald Trump

The former US president who announced the country would withdraw from the World Health Organization.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The United Nations agency responsible for international public health, which operates the Global Outbreak Alert Response Network that Illinois is now joining.

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What they’re saying

“We want to be in a place to prevent illness, of course in our Illinois borders, but in ways that we can help across the country.”

— Sameer Vohra, Director, Illinois Department of Public Health (abc7chicago.com)

“Well, as an infectious disease doctor, we have to use all of the tools that we can to keep the community safe and to keep our patients safe.”

— Alfredo Mena Lora, Medical Director for Infection Control, St. Anthony Hospital (abc7chicago.com)

What’s next

Illinois officials say there is no financial obligation for the state to join the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert Response Network, and the state will contribute by sharing its medical expertise.

The takeaway

Illinois' decision to join the WHO's global health network, in contrast to the Trump administration's withdrawal, highlights the state's proactive approach to public health threats and its commitment to protecting all residents, especially diverse communities, through collaboration and access to international expertise.