Illinois joins WHO's global disease network

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced the state is joining the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, making Illinois the second U.S. state to do so since the U.S. withdrawal became official; officials said the move connects Illinois to global alerts and international response networks.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced that Illinois is joining the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. Officials said the move follows the recent U.S. withdrawal from the WHO and is intended to link the state more directly to international public-health channels. State officials described participation as providing access to timely global alerts, expert public health networks, and international response capabilities. The announcement accompanies earlier steps by other states since the federal withdrawal. What is known: - Gov. Pritzker announced Illinois is joining the WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. - Illinois is reported to be the second U.S. state to join the network since the federal withdrawal became official last month. - Officials said the state's participation will connect Illinois to global alerts, expert public health networks, and international response capabilities. Summary: Officials say joining the WHO network will provide Illinois with direct links to global disease alerts and international response resources. Undetermined at this time.