Dangerous pathogens in laboratories across Africa remain unmonitored, while inspections for diseases like mpox and Ebola at borders and airports have been suspended. The Trump administration's decision to halt foreign aid has critically undermined programs that manage and prevent these health threats. Experts warn that this negligence could have direct repercussions for American citizens, who are at risk from diseases that originate abroad.

Outbreaks overseas can easily enter the U.S., as seen with coronavirus, which originated in China before spreading globally. Infectious diseases often find their way into the U.S. through international travel. As Dr. Githinji Gitahi, head of Amref Health Africa, points out, it is essential to maintain strong disease prevention efforts to protect the American populace. He emphasizes that dwindling support for health initiatives has left gaps in the defense against infectious agents.

Interviews with numerous officials from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), health organization members, and infectious disease experts underscore the heightened risk of disease spread due to the funding cuts. The picture painted is one of an increasingly unsafe world, where the lack of resources and personnel dedicated to mitigating health crises could lead to widespread consequences for global populations and, ultimately, Americans themselves.