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White House names Sara Brenner OPPR chief amid Ebola crisis

7/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

The White House appointed former FDA official Sara Brenner to lead Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response (OPPR) in July 2026.
OPPR, down from 15 staff to one, reappointed CDC epidemiologist Rachel Idowu as NSC director for Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which could become largest ever.
A White House spokesperson said NSC, Homeland Security Council and Domestic Policy Council handle pandemic preparedness, noting that 2025 gain-of-function guidelines remain unmet.

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Story summary

The White House appointed former FDA official Sara Brenner to lead Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response (OPPR) in July 2026.
OPPR, down from 15 staff to one, reappointed CDC epidemiologist Rachel Idowu as NSC director for Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which could become largest ever.
A White House spokesperson said NSC, Homeland Security Council and Domestic Policy Council handle pandemic preparedness, noting that 2025 gain-of-function guidelines remain unmet.