The World Health Organization has warned that its largest global laboratory network is at risk of collapsing unless new funding is secured to replace support lost following President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the U.N. agency.
The WHO-led program relies entirely on U.S. funding, receiving about $8 million annually. The U.S. was WHO’s largest donor, contributing $1.3 billion between 2022 and 2023. “The network is at risk of collapse unless alternative funding is identified,” WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said.
The Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, or “Gremlin,” plays a vital role in tracking and containing infectious threats. With 760 labs worldwide testing around 500,000 patient samples annually, it helps identify outbreaks before they spread across borders. Beyond measles and rubella, the network supports pandemic preparedness by detecting viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus, dengue, bird flu, Mpox, yellow fever, Ebola, and Lassa fever.
