WHO Warns Global Tuberculosis Surge Threatened by US Aid Cuts

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over significant funding cuts from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), warning that these reductions could lead to a surge in tuberculosis (TB) cases globally. The U.S. has historically provided between $200 million and $250 million annually for TB programs, making it the largest bilateral donor. With the Trump administration's recent aid cuts, vital services for TB prevention, testing, and treatment have been disrupted, threatening millions of lives. Experts fear that interruptions in treatment could lead to new, untreatable forms of TB, while diagnostics and supply chains are already suffering. The WHO emphasizes that any disruption to TB services can have devastating consequences, potentially reversing years of progress in combating the disease. Health officials are urging immediate action to mitigate the impacts of these funding cuts, which could affect countries most reliant on international aid.