These researchers would be in Africa fighting ebola—but Trump cut their funding

A network of research centers established by the National Institutes of Health to study emerging infectious diseases, including those originating from wildlife, has been unable to assist in the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases (CREID) Network, which had 10 global sites including in Africa, had its funding significantly reduced by the Trump administration last year. This decision was reportedly influenced by concerns over COVID-19 origins and a determination that the research was not a prudent use of taxpayer funds.

The network, funded with approximately $82 million over five years, was focused on understanding how viruses spill over from animals to humans, a critical area for preventing future epidemics like Ebola. The stop-work order issued last June halted their operations, leaving them sidelined as a major health crisis unfolds.

The defunding of this research network highlights the potential impact of political decisions on global health security and the ability to respond to emerging infectious disease threats.