January 25, 2026, 10:59January 25, 2026, 11:00 a.m
The World Health Organization (WHO) has countered the US government’s ongoing allegations in detail for the first time. The organization quotes from a statement from the US government on Thursday and rejects the allegations.
Rubio and Kennedy: US work brought into disrepute
The USA had thus sealed its withdrawal from the organization, which it had announced a year ago. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy had written, among other things: “Even when we left the organization, the WHO discredited and muddied everything America did for it.” As an example, they cited the WHO’s refusal to hand over a US flag. They later reported that the flag was now back in US possession.
According to the WHO, the WHO has not brought anything into disrepute or trashed it. “The WHO has always sought to work with the United States in good faith and with full respect for its sovereignty.”
Corona warnings came early
The WHO also rejects the accusation that the WHO “hindered the timely and accurate dissemination of important information” during the corona pandemic. Early in January 2020, she informed governments on all channels about the unusual cases of illness in China and asked them to take precautions. She declared an emergency of international concern on January 30th, the highest alert level, when there were fewer than 100 corona cases and no deaths outside of China.
The organization said it hopes that the US government will return to the WHO. After all: California intends to continue to work with the WHO network. (sda/dpa)