The White House has directed the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cease all collaboration with the World Health Organization.

U.S. public health officials have been told to stop working with the World Health Organization, effective immediately.A U.S. Centers for Disease

Staff at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been ordered to stop communicating with the World Health Organization, according to a new memo, dealing a significant blow to global health efforts.

Experts said the sudden stoppage was a surprise and would set back work on investigating and trying to stop outbreaks and brewing global threats.