At a press briefing in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier explained that "communication has become difficult" due to the severing of traditional channels between the two parties, though he refrained from providing further specifics.

The H5N1 bird flu outbreak in the U.S., which began in April 2024, has led to nearly 70 infections, mostly among farm workers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stressed that while human-to-human transmission remains unconfirmed and the public health threat remains low, individuals with extended exposure to birds, poultry, or livestock are at higher risk.

The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO, which was formalized by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his inauguration day, has raised concerns about the sharing of critical health data.

Some countries have privately voiced concerns that the U.S. may withhold important information on emerging diseases, which could hinder global efforts to prevent future pandemics.

The situation has become more alarming following the discovery of a second strain of bird flu in dairy cattle in Nevada, heightening fears that the outbreak could spread further.