STATNews—The DRC ‘mystery illness’ shows why the U.S. can’t ‘pause’ infectious disease work

In my recent STAT News article, co-authored with Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, we emphasize the urgent need for sustained U.S. commitment to global infectious disease surveillance and response. Using the example of a recent “mystery illness” outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we highlight the critical role of longstanding initiatives like the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service and PEPFAR in building essential global health infrastructure. Pulling back from these commitments—such as through proposed pauses in infectious disease research—would endanger both global and domestic health security. Pathogens respect no borders, and America’s continued leadership and investment remain essential for protecting public health everywhere.