Africa CDC head cites major concerns over data, pathogen sharing in US health deals

By Anait Miridzhanian and Jennifer Rigby

LONDON, Feb 26 (Reuters) – There are big issues in the deals the United States is pursuing with African countries that govern how U.S. global health funding will work from now on, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.

“There are huge concerns regarding data, regarding pathogen sharing,” Director-General Jean Kaseya told a virtual press conference. 

On Wednesday, Zimbabwe pulled out of talks with the U.S. for its agreement, worth $367 million over the next five years, raising concerns over sensitive data and saying it was unequal. Zambia’s government also said it had pushed back on a section of its deal.

Other global health advocates have criticised the pathogen-sharing element of the deals, which ask countries to promptly share data with Washington about pathogens that could spark epidemics in their countries, as a condition of getting the funding. The deals do not guarantee that any drugs or vaccines developed as a result of that exchange would go to the countries affected.

RESHAPING U.S. GLOBAL HEALTH FUNDING 

The deals are the latest in a series of bilateral agreements reshaping how U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration delivers billions of dollars in global health funding, after dismantling its aid agency last year, cutting funding and contracts worldwide, and pledging to put “America First” in its global health strategy. 

Kaseya said he had initially greeted that strategy with enthusiasm, because it would see African countries get money more directly, while simultaneously requiring them to co-invest. But he said he had rejected an opportunity for Africa CDC to be an observer to the deals, as he respected the sovereignty of individual nations. 

However, he said the agency had been supporting countries where requested, and would continue to advise if they wanted to renegotiate with the U.S., as well as supporting them to implement any agreement they do sign. 

“I said to all of my countries, you have full support from Africa CDC. Even if you want to re-negotiate … if you want Africa CDC to be there, we’ll be there,” he said.

(Reporting by Anait Miridzhanian, Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Chris Reese)