90-Second Read: Ebola and Hantavirus outbreaks sign of our 'dangerous' times: WHO

The deadly Hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks are only the latest crises in "dangerous and divisive" times, the World Health Organization chief said Monday. Currently, "defending common sense has become a form of rebellion," he charged, lamenting an ongoing "pandemic of egoism." Th 2026 World Health Assembly comes after a particularly difficult year for WHO, weakened by the announced US withdrawal and deep funding cuts. The WHO's budget has been reduced by around 21%, or nearly one billion dollars. On the first day of the assembly, countries refused once again to add the thorny issue of a request from Taiwan, which China claims is part of its territory, to regain the observer status it held between 2009 and 2016.

It also remains unclear what, if anything, will be decided on the withdrawal of the United States and Argentina. The United States reserved the right to withdraw when it joined the WHO in 1948, on condition of giving one year's notice and meeting its financial obligations in full for that fiscal year. Much of this week's discussions will center on whether to launch a formal reform process for the so-called " global health architecture ", a mishmash of organizations that do not always work together and often overlap. Countries had aimed to finalize during this year's assembly a key annex to the agreement, which deals with sharing access to pathogens with pandemic potential, then sharing benefits derived from them such as vaccines, tests and treatments.

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Other sensitive issues on the table include Ukraine, the Palestinian territories and Iran, which could spark heated debate. US President Donald Trump handed in a one-year notice to withdraw from WHO on his first day back in office in January 2025. While the notice period has expired, Washington has still not paid its 2024 or 2025 dues, owing around $260 million.

The WHO, whose constitution does not include a withdrawal clause, has not confirmed either withdrawal. When WHO's executive board met in January, Israel submitted a resolution to approve Argentina's withdrawal, something countries are expected to discuss during the assembly, but not a word was said about the US.