Agreement aims to forge stronger global defences against epidemics

An agreement has been reached at the World Health Assembly which aims to strengthen international cooperation against infectious disease outbreaks. Health ministers and senior officials from 192 countries agreed to new rules requiring all major public health events of international concern to be reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). This will include major disease outbreaks, and also suspected bio-terrorism events.

Cooperation in responding to such events will also be strengthened by a revision of the International Health Regulations (IHR) which was also agreed at the World Health Assembly meeting. The revised IHR requires national authorities to notify the WHO of all major public health threats with the potential to spread. They also require the WHO to assist its members in responding to such threats and provide a basis for greater international cooperation in this field. The new rules should come into force in 2007.

•Date: 24th May 2005 • Region: World • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
Rate this article or make a comment - click here