OLYMPIA, WA — Washington will join an international disease monitoring network following the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization, according to the governor’s office.

Gov. Bob Ferguson announced the state is entering the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, a partnership of more than 360 public health agencies and organizations focused on detecting and responding to outbreaks.

State officials said the move will maintain access to global disease data, early-warning alerts and coordinated response support.

“Washington will not stand idle as the federal government retreats from global public health,” Ferguson said.

Health Secretary Dennis Worsham said the network will help the state identify risks sooner and respond more quickly to threats such as COVID-19, measles and avian influenza.

Washington joins several other states and jurisdictions, including California, Illinois, Colorado and New York City, already participating in the network.