Dismantling of USAID Sets Stage for Global Disease Outbreaks

 The New York Times published on 8 March 2025 an article titled "How Foreign Aid Cuts Are Setting the Stage for Disease Outbreaks" by Apoorva Mandavilli.  

The Trump administration's pause in foreign aid has hobbled programs that prevent outbreaks of disease such as Ebola and dengue around the world.  These diseases eventually appear everywhere, including the United States.  The interruption and possible termination of USAID funding increase the likelihood of uncontrolled disease outbreaks.  

Polio Outbreak in the Horn of Africa

There has been an outbreak of wild poliovirus in the Horn of Africa.  So far this year there have been 100 confirmed cases in Somalia (one of them in Somaliland) and 10 in Kenya.  The virus has apparently not yet spread to other countries in the Horn. International efforts are underway to immunize more children throughout the region in hopes it is possible to prevent further spread of the disease.  This is a challenge because of porous borders, many internally displaced people and refugees, and frequent migration of people living in the Horn.  The key to stopping the disease is more immunization, which means access to communities throughout the region.  Access continues to be a problem in parts of Somalia, South Sudan and the Ogaden region of Ethiopia.  The Horn of Africa has the largest pocket of under immunized children in the world at an estimated 1 million.

Although 110 cases so far this year in Somalia and Kenya may not sound like a lot, it is important to put the issue in perspective.  In 2012, there were only 223 confirmed wild poliovirus cases throughout the world.  The numbers for the Horn probably understate the actual situation.  You can find current information on this topic at Polio Global Eradication Initiative.  The Guardian published on 5 July 2013 a piece titled "Somalia Emergency Polio Vaccination Campaign - in Pictures."

Pres. Obama lays out general Africa themes, but we still need the details.

I participated in the BBC radio "Focus on Africa" program today concerning the visit to Ghana by President Obama. Most of the participants focused on the president's call to Africans to take control of their own future and the need for good governance. I noted that he also emphasized a willingness by the United States to support development that offers real benefits to more people, especially the improvement of agriculture and food security. Although he did not use the term in his speech in Ghana, he has called elsewhere for a green revolution in Africa. He also stated that the United States would continue the effort of President Bush to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB in Africa. He added to this list the eradication of polio and neglected tropical disease. Finally, he stated that the United States would step up its efforts to prevent and mitigate conflict in Africa, noting in particular the on-going problems in Darfur, Somalia, and the Congo. When asked what was left out of the speech, I suggested that I missed more emphasis on private American investment in Africa, as this could provide the most positive impact on improving African economies.