Bird Flu Confusion on Cattle Farms and Africa’s New Public Health Order

Editors' Note

The latest draft of the Pandemic Agreement, meant to address the shortcomings of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was leaked on April 17. In response, CFR's Chloe Searchinger and Alejandra Martinez sat down with Alexandra Phelan of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and Nina Schwalbe of Spark Street Advisors, to discuss what issues remain unresolved during the final negotiations.

Sticking with infectious disease, journalist Rachel Nuwer speaks with a slew of U.S. veterinarians about the outbreak of avian influenza in cattle. Her piece reveals why farmers are disincentivized to report new cases under current U.S. policy.

Turning to Ukraine, journalist Stephen Langel explains how Congress's latest foreign aid package is intended for humanitarian support but does not offer enough flexible spending to address a brewing public health crisis.

Thursday was World Malaria Day. To mark the occasion, a group from Unitaid and the Global Fund chronicle a recent string of innovative partnerships that have accelerated access to new malaria defenses.

We finish the week with a miniseries on Africa's New Public Health Order, guest edited by Ebere Okereke of the Africa Public Health Foundation. The series, which also features contributions from Oyeronke Oyebanji of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Spring Gombe, a global health strategy consultant, discusses how the plan will shape Africa's health partnerships and its future in a shifting geopolitical world.

Until next week!—Nsikan Akpan, Managing Editor, and Caroline Kantis, Associate Editor 