Membership ensures Washington maintains access to critical global disease information following US withdrawal from WHO
OLYMPIA — Today, Governor Bob Ferguson announced Washington state is joining the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), a coordinated worldwide partnership dedicated to monitoring and responding to global disease outbreaks.
Following President Trump’s withdrawal of the United States from WHO, Washington will now be connected to an international network essential to strengthening public health preparedness, coordinating rapid response and protecting Washingtonians from emerging diseases.
“Washington will not stand idle as the federal government retreats from global public health, undermines science and threatens the wellbeing of our communities,” Governor Bob Ferguson said. “By joining GOARN, we’re ensuring Washington’s public health leaders have the tools and information they need to protect Washingtonians. We stand with our local and global partners to prioritize the health of our people over politics.”
“Disease outbreaks don’t stop at state or national borders, and our ability to protect people in Washington shouldn’t either,” Washington State Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said. “Joining GOARN ensures we maintain access to critical global outbreak intelligence and stay connected to leading public health experts, even as federal relationships change. We’re not waiting for the next threat — we’re preparing for it. From COVID-19 to rising measles cases and avian influenza, we’ve seen how quickly diseases can spread. Through GOARN, we can detect risks earlier, respond faster and better protect people in our communities — while also contributing Washington’s expertise to global response efforts.”
Governor Ferguson has taken multiple steps to protect Washingtonians’ public health. During the 2026 legislative session, Governor Ferguson proposed a new law that shifts decision-making authority on vaccines and other critical preventive health care services away from the federal government. The law allows DOH to propose vaccine recommendations based on medical and scientific expertise and evidence.
In October, Governor Ferguson joined the Governors Public Health Alliance, a nonpartisan initiative bringing together governors across state lines to strengthen coordination, preparedness and response on public health issues.
Last year, Governor Ferguson also joined California, Oregon and Hawaii in launching the West Coast Health Alliance. Through this partnership, the four states have coordinated health guidelines and provided evidence-based immunization recommendations rooted in safety, efficacy and transparency – ensuring residents receive credible information despite shifting federal policy.
What is GOARN?
GOARN is a worldwide partnership of more than 360 public health agencies, national governments, academic centers, laboratories and response organizations focused on rapidly detecting and responding to public health emergencies across the globe.
Membership in this network strengthens Washington’s preparedness for emerging threats and future pandemics; and complements the state Department of Health’s ongoing coordination with national partners to detect, monitor and respond to diseases. Washington’s public health experts will benefit from the following resources:
- Global outbreak early-warning alerts;
- Technical collaboration and support during major public health events;
- International training, exercises and best-practice exchanges;
- And coordinated outbreak response support.
Washington joins California, Illinois, Colorado and New York City in joining GOARN. More information about GOARN is available here.
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