Washington Joins Global Health Network Following U.S. Withdrawal From WHO

Washington state is joining a global disease response network to maintain access to critical international health data and expertise, following the federal government’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization.

Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday that the state will become part of the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, a partnership of more than 360 public health agencies, governments and research institutions focused on detecting and responding to disease outbreaks worldwide.

State officials say the move is aimed at ensuring Washington remains connected to real-time global outbreak intelligence and coordinated response systems, even as federal relationships with the WHO change.

“Washington will not stand idle as the federal government retreats from global public health, undermines science and threatens the wellbeing of our communities,” Ferguson said. “By joining GOARN, we’re ensuring Washington’s public health leaders have the tools and information they need to protect Washingtonians.”

The decision comes as public health leaders continue to warn that infectious diseases can spread rapidly across borders, making international coordination critical to early detection and response.

Washington State Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said the COVID-19 pandemic, rising measles cases and ongoing concerns about avian influenza highlight the need for global cooperation.

“Disease outbreaks don’t stop at state or national borders, and our ability to protect people in Washington shouldn’t either,” Worsham said. “Joining GOARN ensures we maintain access to critical global outbreak intelligence and stay connected to leading public health experts.”

Through GOARN, Washington will have access to early warning alerts, technical expertise, training opportunities and coordinated international response support during major public health emergencies. State officials say participation will also allow Washington to contribute its own expertise to global response efforts.

The move builds on a series of actions by Ferguson aimed at strengthening the state’s public health infrastructure. During the 2026 legislative session, he proposed legislation to shift certain vaccine-related decision-making authority to the state level, allowing the Department of Health to base recommendations on scientific evidence and medical expertise.

Washington has also joined regional and national partnerships, including the Governors Public Health Alliance and the West Coast Health Alliance, which bring states together to coordinate public health strategies and share resources.

By joining GOARN, Washington adds a global layer to those efforts, positioning the state to better prepare for future public health threats while maintaining access to international data and collaboration.

The move places Washington among a small but growing group of U.S. jurisdictions, including California, Illinois, Colorado and New York City, that have joined the network independently.

Health officials say the goal is to ensure the state remains prepared for future outbreaks and pandemics, even as federal policy shifts reshape the country’s role in global public health systems.