Urgent Travel Warning: Deadly Marburg Virus Spreading Amid CDC Blackout
A former White House doctor has raised a dire warning: Donald Trump’s restrictive policies on the CDC and global health organizations could be paving the way for one of the world’s most lethal diseases to enter the United States.
One of the Trump administration’s first executive orders included a 90-day pause on international health collaboration, halting foreign assistance, and limiting external communications at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Additionally, the CDC was instructed to sever ties with the World Health Organization (WHO) immediately.
Dr. Stephanie Psaki—former health and ‘gender equity’ advisor to President Biden and the sister of former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki—warns that these measures could enable deadly pathogens, such as the Marburg virus, to reach the U.S. without proper defenses in place.
Deadly Marburg Outbreak in Africa Poses Immediate Threat
Currently, Tanzania is grappling with an outbreak of Marburg virus, a highly lethal hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola. Out of the nine confirmed cases, eight patients have already succumbed to the disease, with experts fearing more cases will emerge.
There is no vaccine or effective treatment for Marburg virus, which causes severe internal bleeding, organ failure, and death in up to 88% of cases. The disease spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, making it highly contagious among health workers and close contacts.
Dr. Psaki Warns U.S. is Unprepared for a Global Pandemic
Dr. Psaki stresses that the best way to protect Americans is to contain deadly diseases at their source. However, the Trump administration’s health policies have disrupted critical disease surveillance and response efforts.
Writing in an editorial, she stated:
“As I’ve watched the Trump administration announce a series of actions that undermine our ability to detect and respond to biological threats, I wonder: Who is protecting the American people from Marburg right now?”
The Consequences of Cutting Ties with WHO and Global Health Partners
Historically, U.S. health agencies have worked closely with WHO and other international partners to track and contain deadly outbreaks before they reach American soil. The previous administration’s proactive stance on biological threats ensured rapid response to emerging diseases.
Dr. Psaki warns that Trump’s withdrawal from these global health networks leaves the U.S. vulnerable:
- Loss of Early Warning Systems – The U.S. is now ‘locked out’ of WHO’s Event Information Site, a platform that alerts countries to emerging health threats worldwide.
- Reduced Coordination on Outbreak Response – The CDC’s inability to deploy experts abroad weakens global containment efforts.
- Higher Risk of Pathogens Reaching the U.S. – Without early detection, deadly viruses could spread undetected through global travel.
Marburg Virus: A Looming Catastrophe for the U.S.?
The Marburg virus has never been detected in the U.S., but health officials fear that an uncontrolled outbreak in Africa could increase the chances of importation. In 2014, the U.S. recorded 11 Ebola cases and two deaths, highlighting the real threat of deadly viruses crossing borders.
Dr. Psaki emphasized that the best defense against such outbreaks is to maintain strong international health partnerships, something the Trump administration is dismantling. She urged the White House to reinstate CDC experts in high-risk areas and re-engage with WHO to prevent the spread of Marburg and other emerging diseases.
Trump’s Health Policy Reversal: A Risk to American Lives
On January 20, Trump issued a series of executive orders reversing the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, withdrawing from WHO, and freezing foreign assistance for global disease prevention.
Other key decisions include:
- Barring the CDC and FDA from making public health announcements
- Blocking NIH from funding new research on emerging infectious diseases
- Pausing U.S. funding for global vaccination initiatives
These actions dismantle safeguards that have protected Americans from pandemics for decades. Experts fear that without global cooperation, the U.S. will face increased risks of unknown pathogens spreading within its borders.
Experts Call for Urgent Policy Reversals to Protect the U.S.
Health professionals and epidemiologists have urged Trump to reconsider these drastic measures before it’s too late. With travel resuming post-pandemic, the risk of viral importation has never been higher.
Dr. Psaki concluded:
“Now is not the time to demolish our well-oiled machine for preventing outbreaks. Instead, the United States should do what it does best—drive an effective and efficient response to stop outbreaks at their source. That’s the best way to save lives around the world and to protect our homeland too.”
As Marburg virus continues to spread in Africa, the question remains: Is America prepared for the next global pandemic?