27 May 2005

World Health Assembly Adopts New International Health Regulations

On 23 May 2005 at the World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva , the World Health Assembly adopted the revised International Health Regulations (IHRs). This new set of regulations is the framework for managing public heath emergencies of international concern. These rules will "prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease." They aim to do this while minimizing interference with world trade and travel.

The revision of the IHRs has been in process since the mid-1990s but the need for revision was highlighted by the emergence of outbreaks of new diseases such as SARS in 2003 and avian influenza in 2004-2005. They are the product of extensive work, drafts and meetings and have had representation from all 192 members of the WHO. They reflect internationally accepted good practice in the interconnected world of the 21st century.

The IHRs govern the roles of individual countries and WHO in identifying, responding to, and sharing information about public health emergencies. They encompass a broader range of public heath emergencies than the original six diseases of cholera, plague, yellow fever, smallpox, relapsing fever and typhus that were covered by the first IHRs in 1969. As an example a single case of smallpox, polio, SARS, or human influenza caused by a new subtype will be required to be reported to WHO; other diseases and events (including chemicals or radiation) will be assessed against a decision analysis instrument as to whether or not they constitute a public health emergency and should be reported.

The regulations define the requirements for vaccination or other prophylaxis that may be recommended or required by WHO and member countries, including yellow fever vaccine. There is a new template for the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis that is being introduced (see link below to the IHRs, Annex 6). The IHRs also govern health measures (such as medical examinations, vaccination or prophylaxis, observation, quarantine, isolation, or refusal to allow entry) that may be applied to international travellers during periods when the WHO issues recommendations in response to specific public heath events.

The IHRs will come into force two years following their date of approval.

Press release describing the IHRs:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases

/2005/pr_wha03/en/index.html

A complete copy of the IHRs in English may be viewed at:

http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA58/A58_55-en.pdf