California joins WHO-coordinated outbreak network after U.S. withdrawal is finalized

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published January 24, 2026

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California announced it will join the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), saying the move will strengthen international cooperation on early detection and response to emerging health threats. The announcement followed reports that the United States’ withdrawal from the WHO was formally finalized on January 23, 2026.

According to Reuters, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said the decision keeps California connected to global technical partnerships on preparedness and rapid response. Newsom criticized the U.S. exit as reckless.

Reuters reported that GOARN brings together more than 360 technical institutions worldwide and supports responses to public health events by mobilizing experts and resources to affected countries. The network has supported major responses in recent years, including COVID-19.

WHO materials describe GOARN as a partnership created in 2000 to coordinate rapid international outbreak response, with work spanning risk assessment, capacity building, and operational support during emergencies.