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	WHO = > Programmes and = projects=20 > Epidemic = and=20 Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) > International = Health=20 Regulations (2005) =20

Main content

printab= le=20 version

Frequently asked questions about the=20 International Health Regulations (2005)

General

1.=20 What are the International Health Regulations (2005) and = why does=20 the world community need them to enhance international = public=20 health security?
2.=20 What is the history of the IHR?
3.=20 Why were the IHR revised?
4.=20 What are the major changes in the IHR (2005)?
5.=20 What is meant by a 'public health emergency of = international=20 concern' in the IHR (2005)?

The legal framework established by = the IHR=20 (2005)

6.=20 What is the legal status of the IHR (2005) and how do they = enter=20 into force for States?
7.=20 How will compliance with the IHR (2005) be = achieved?
8.=20 How will questions or disputes on the interpretation or=20 application of the IHR (2005) be = resolved?

The roles, responsibilities and = obligations=20 of States Parties and WHO under the IHR (2005)

9.=20 Who will be responsible for implementing the IHR=20 (2005)?
10.=20 How will States benefit from the IHR (2005)?
11.=20 According to the IHR (2005), what are the key obligations = for=20 States?
12.=20 According to the IHR (2005), what are the key obligations = for=20 WHO?
13.=20 How will WHO gather public health information and obtain=20 verification thereof?
14.=20 When and how will WHO issue recommendations concerning = public=20 health emergencies of international = concern?

Travel and trade under the IHR = (2005)

15.=20 How will the IHR (2005) affect international travel and = trade and=20 individual travellers?
16.=20 How and why States Parties are required to designate = international=20 airports and ports and may designate certain ground = crossings for=20 capacity strengthening purposes under the IHR=20 (2005)?

Collaboration under the IHR = (2005)

17.=20 How do the IHR (2005) interact with other international = agreements=20 and bodies?
18.=20 How will the IHR (2005) affect the Model Deratting and = Deratting=20 Exemption certificates, Maritime Declaration of Health,=20 International Certificate of Vaccination or Revaccination = against=20 Yellow Fever and the Health Part of the Aircraft General=20 Declaration?

Specific diseases under the IHR = (2005)

19.=20 How do the IHR (2005) help to address the risk of an = influenza=20 pandemic in humans?
20.=20 What kind of yellow fever vaccines are valid under the IHR = (2005)=20 and must they be administered at a vaccination centre = designated=20 by the State or at a listed WHO-approved vaccination=20 centre?

3D""

General

1. What are = the=20 International Health Regulations (2005) and why does the = world=20 community need them to enhance international health = security?

The International Health Regulations (2005) or 'IHR = (2005)' are=20 an international law which helps countries working together = to save=20 lives and livelihoods caused by the international spread of = diseases=20 and other health risks.

The IHR (2005) aim to prevent, protect against, control = and=20 respond to the international spread of disease while = avoiding=20 unnecessary interference with international traffic and = trade. The=20 IHR (2005) are also designed to reduce the risk of disease = spread at=20 international airports, ports and ground crossings.

Born of an extraordinary global consensus, the IHR (2005) = strengthen the collective defences against the multiple and = varied=20 public health risks that today's globalized world is facing = and=20 which have the potential to be rapidly spread through = expanding=20 travel and trade.

The IHR (2005) establish a new set of rules to support = the=20 existing global outbreak alert and response system and to = require=20 countries to improve international surveillance and = reporting=20 mechanisms for public health events and to strengthen their = national=20 surveillance and response capacities.

This makes the IHR (2005) a necessary and very timely new = public=20 health instrument, central to ensuring international public = health=20 security.

2. What is the = history of=20 the IHR?

The cholera epidemics that overran Europe between 1830 = and 1847=20 were catalysts for intensive infectious disease diplomacy = and=20 multilateral cooperation in public health. This led to the = first=20 International Sanitary Conference in Paris in 1851. In 1948, = the WHO=20 Constitution entered into force and in 1951 WHO Member = States=20 adopted the International Sanitary Regulations, which were = replaced=20 by and renamed the International Health Regulations in 1969. = The=20 1969 Regulations were subject to minor modifications in 1973 = and=20 1981.

The IHR (1969) were primarily intended to monitor and = control six=20 serious infectious diseases: cholera, plague, yellow fever,=20 smallpox, relapsing fever and typhus. Under the IHR (1969), = only=20 cholera, plague and yellow fever remain notifiable, meaning = that=20 States are required to notify WHO if and when these diseases = occur=20 on their territory.

In the early 1990s, the resurgence of some well known = epidemic=20 diseases, such as cholera in parts of South America, plague = in India=20 and the emergence of new infectious agents such as Ebola=20 haemorrhagic fever, resulted in a resolution at the 48th = World=20 Health Assembly in 1995 calling for the revision of the=20 Regulations.

In May 2001, the World Health Assembly adopted resolution = WHA=20 54.14, Global health security: epidemic alert and response, = in which=20 WHO was called upon to support its Member States in = strengthening=20 their capacity to detect and respond rapidly to communicable = disease=20 threats and emergencies.

In May 2003, resolution WHA56.28 on Revision of the = International=20 Health Regulations, established an intergovernmental working = group=20 (IGWG) open to all Member States to review and recommend a = draft=20 revision of the International Health Regulations for = consideration=20 by the World Health Assembly. The IGWG held two sessions in = November=20 2004 and February/May 2005 with a view to endorsing a final = text for=20 consideration by the World Health Assembly at its 58th = meeting. The=20 World Health Assembly adopted the IHR (2005) on 23 May 2005 = by way=20 of resolution WHA58.3.

3. Why were = the IHR=20 revised?

The limitations of the IHR (1969), which led to their = revision,=20 related to their narrow scope (three diseases), their = dependence on=20 official country notification, and their lack of a formal=20 internationally coordinated mechanism to contain = international=20 disease spread.

In recent decades, cross-border travel and trade have = increased=20 and communication technology has developed markedly. News = now=20 spreads rapidly via a multitude of formal and informal = channels. New=20 challenges have arisen in the public health control of = emerging and=20 re-emerging infectious diseases.

With its focus on just three diseases (cholera, plague = and yellow=20 fever), the IHR (1969) were not equipped to address the = growing and=20 varied public health risks that resulted from increased = travel and=20 trade in the last quarter of the 20th century.

In addition, some countries were reluctant to promptly = report=20 outbreaks of these diseases for fear of unwarranted and = damaging=20 travel and trade restrictions. A way needed to be found to = increase=20 the confidence of countries in reporting significant and/or = unusual=20 disease events, by linking early disclosure to prompt = support and=20 accurate information dissemination about the nature of the=20 event.

The IHR (2005), which are firmly grounded in practical=20 experience, broaden the scope of the 1969 Regulations to = cover=20 existing, new and re-emerging diseases, including = emergencies caused=20 by non-infectious disease agents.

Through a new legal framework, the IHR (2005) ensure a = rapid=20 gathering of information, a common understanding of what may = constitute a public health emergency of international = concern and=20 the availability of international assistance to = countries.

The new reporting procedures are aimed at expediting the = flow of=20 timely and accurate information to WHO about potential = public health=20 emergencies of international concern. WHO, as a neutral = authority,=20 with critical technical expertise and resources, and an = extensive=20 communications network can assess information, recommend = actions and=20 facilitate or help coordinate technical assistance, when = needed,=20 that is tailored to events as they unfold.

4. What are = the major=20 changes in the IHR (2005)?

Notification

The IHR (2005) require States to notify WHO of all events = that=20 may constitute a public health emergency of international = concern=20 and to respond to requests for verification of information = regarding=20 such events. This will enable WHO to ensure appropriate = technical=20 collaboration for effective prevention of such emergencies = or=20 containment of outbreaks and, under certain defined = circumstances,=20 inform other States of the public health risks where action = is=20 necessary on their part.

The new notification requirements, together with WHO's = mandate to=20 seek verification of unofficial reports of events with = potential=20 international implications, and the establishment of = National IHR=20 Focal Points, is intended to promote and facilitate = information=20 sharing between WHO and its Member States. Greater = understanding of=20 the event as it unfolds, plus the assurance of timely = technical=20 collaboration, is expected to lead to a climate of greater=20 willingness on the part of Member States to contact the WHO = when a=20 possible public health emergency of international concern is = suspected.

National IHR Focal Points and WHO IHR Contact = Points

Important innovations under the IHR (2005) are the = requirements=20 that notification and reporting by States Parties, as well = as other=20 urgent IHR communications, are transmitted through specific = National=20 IHR Focal Points to WHO IHR Contact Points, available on a = 24=20 hour-a-day basis, seven days a week.

Requirements for national core capacities

A fundamental innovation in the IHR (2005) is the = requirement=20 that each country develop, strengthen and maintain core = public=20 health capacities for surveillance and response by using = existing=20 national resources, such as the national plans for influenza = pandemic preparedness. Key sanitary and health services and=20 facilities are also to be developed at international = airports, ports=20 and ground crossings designated for this purpose by States=20 Parties.

Recommended measures

WHO's response to a public health emergency of = international=20 concern will include temporary recommendations concerning=20 appropriate public health responses, and may include = recommended=20 measures for application by the State affected by such an = emergency,=20 as well as by other States and by operators of international = transport. These temporary recommendations are made by WHO = on a=20 time-limited, risk-specific basis, as a result of a public = health=20 emergency of international concern.

Standing recommendations indicate the appropriate = measures for=20 routine application for specific ongoing public health = risks, and=20 are for routine or periodic application. Recommended = measures could=20 be directed towards persons, baggage, cargo, containers, = ships,=20 aircraft, road vehicles, goods or postal parcels.

External advice regarding the IHR (2005)

The IHR (2005) include procedures for obtaining = independent=20 technical advice concerning IHR implementation. One context = is the=20 process for the establishment of an Emergency Committee to = advise=20 the Director-General of WHO in determining whether a = particular=20 event is, in fact, a public health emergency of = international=20 concern and to provide advice on any appropriate temporary=20 recommendations. An IHR Review Committee is tasked with = advising the=20 Director-General on technical matters relating to standing=20 recommendations, the functioning of the Regulations and = amendments=20 thereto.

5. What is = meant by a=20 'public health emergency of international concern' in the = IHR=20 (2005)?

According to the IHR (2005) a public health emergency of=20 international concern refers to an extraordinary public = health event=20 which is determined, under specific procedures:

to constitute a public health risk to other States = through the=20 international spread of disease; and
to potentially require a coordinated international=20 response.

To ensure adequate and early communications with WHO = about=20 potential international public health emergencies, the IHR = (2005)=20 include a decision instrument (Annex 2 of the Regulations) = which=20 sets the parameters for notification to WHO of all events = which may=20 constitute a public health emergency of international = concern=20 (PHEIC) based on the following criteria:

seriousness of the public health impact of the = event;
unusual or unexpected nature of the event;
potential for the event to spread internationally; = and/or
the risk that restrictions to travel or trade may = result=20 because of the event.

Timely and transparent notification of events combined = with a=20 collaborative assessment of the risks by the concerned State = and=20 WHO, along with effective risk communication will reduce the = potential for international disease spread and the = likelihood of=20 unilateral imposition of trade or travel restrictions by = other=20 countries.

The legal framework established by = the IHR=20 (2005)

6. What is the = legal=20 status of the IHR (2005) and how do they enter into force = for=20 States?

Under the WHO Constitution, all WHO Member States are=20 automatically bound by the new IHR (2005) unless they = affirmatively=20 opt out within a limited time period, namely by 15 December = 2006. No=20 WHO Member State has completely opted out, and only a very = small=20 number made reservations. According to the procedures = established in=20 the IHR (2005), reservations are evaluated by other WHO = Member=20 States within a defined time period. If a particular = percentage of=20 States do not object, the Regulations will enter into force = for the=20 States that have filed them subject to the reservation(s). = If at=20 least one third of the other States object to the = reservation(s),=20 the State filing the reservation(s) may withdraw the = reservation(s)=20 within a set period or request the Director-General of WHO = to seek=20 the views of a Review Committee. The Review Committee = advises the=20 Director-General on the practical impact of the = reservation(s) on=20 the operation of the Regulations. The Director-General then = submits=20 the reservation and any views from the Review Committee to = the World=20 Health Assembly for its consideration. If the Assembly, by = majority=20 vote, objects to the reservation(s) the Regulations will = only enter=20 into force for the reserving States if it withdraws the=20 reservation(s).

7. How will = compliance=20 with the IHR (2005) be achieved?

The IHR (2005) have been agreed upon by consensus among = WHO=20 Member States as a balance between their sovereign rights = and shared=20 commitment to prevent the international spread of disease. = Although=20 the IHR (2005) do not include an enforcement mechanism per = se for=20 States which fail to comply with its provisions, the = potential=20 consequences of non-compliance are themselves a powerful = compliance=20 tool. Perhaps the best incentives for compliance are 'peer = pressure'=20 and public knowledge. With today's electronic media, nothing = can be=20 hidden for very long. States do not want to be isolated. The = consequences of non-compliance may include a tarnished = international=20 image, increased morbidity/mortality of affected = populations,=20 unilateral travel and trade restrictions, economic and = social=20 disruption and public outrage. Working together and with WHO = to=20 control a public health event and to accurately communicate = how the=20 problem is being addressed helps to protect against = unjustified=20 measures being adopted unilaterally by other States.

8. How will = questions or=20 disputes on the interpretation or application of the IHR = (2005) be=20 resolved?

The IHR (2005) contain a dispute settlement mechanism to = resolve=20 conflicts arising between States in respect of the = application=20 and/or the interpretation of the Regulations. The mechanism=20 emphasizes the amicable settlement of differences. Several = options=20 are open to States under this mechanism, including = negotiation,=20 mediation and conciliation. Disputes may also be settled by = referral=20 to the Director-General of WHO or by arbitration, if agreed = to by=20 all the parties to the dispute.

The roles, responsibilities and = obligations=20 of States Parties and WHO under the IHR (2005)

9.Who will be = responsible=20 for implementing the IHR (2005)?

The responsibility for implementing the IHR (2005) rests = upon all=20 States that are bound by the Regulations and WHO. The State = is=20 responsible, including all of its sectors, ministries, = levels,=20 officials and personnel for implementing the Regulations at = the=20 national level. WHO will collaborate with and support States = in the=20 implementation of the Regulations.

10. How will = States=20 benefit from the IHR (2005)?

By agreeing to be bound by the IHR (2005), States = will:

enjoy the benefits of a respected partner in the = international=20 effort to maintain international public health = security;
receive WHO guidance in building the core capacities = necessary=20 to quickly detect, report, assess and respond to public = health=20 emergencies and public health risks, including those of = national=20 and international concern;
be offered technical assistance and receive help in = efforts to=20 mobilize possible funding support to meet these new=20 obligations;
receive WHO guidance during outbreak assessment and=20 response;
have access to specific information gathered by WHO = about=20 public health risks world-wide which is necessary for them = to=20 protect themselves;
receive WHO advice and logistical support, when = requested, to=20 respond to disease outbreaks and other public health = events;=20 and
have access to the Global Outbreak Alert and Response = Network=20 (GOARN), a 'one-stop shop' of global resources to help = manage=20 public health risks and emergencies of international=20 concern.

11. According = to the IHR=20 (2005), what are the key obligations for States?

States Parties to the IHR (2005) are required:

to designate a National IHR Focal Point (see Question = 4=20 above);
to assess events occurring in their territory and to = notify=20 WHO of all events that may constitute a public health = emergency of=20 international concern using the decision instrument = included in=20 Annex 2 of the Regulations (see Question 5 above);
to respond to requests for verification of information = regarding events that may constitute a public health = emergency of=20 international concern;
to respond to public health risks which may spread=20 internationally;
to develop, strengthen and maintain the capacity to = detect,=20 report and respond to public health events;
to provide routine facilities, services, inspections = and=20 control activities at designated international airports, = ports and=20 ground crossings to prevent the international spread of=20 disease;
to report to WHO evidence of a public health risk = identified=20 outside their territory which may cause international = disease=20 spread, manifested by exported/imported human cases, = vectors=20 carrying infection or contamination, contaminated = goods;
to respond appropriately to WHO-recommended measures; = and
to collaborate with other States Parties and with WHO = on IHR=20 (2005) implementation.

12. According = to the IHR=20 (2005), what are the key obligations for WHO?

Laying down the rules for international public health = security,=20 the IHR (2005) confer on WHO new roles and responsibilities. = WHO=20 will strengthen its ability to fulfil these fresh = obligations=20 by:

designating WHO IHR Contact Points at the headquarters = or the=20 regional level (see Question 4 above);
conducting global public health surveillance and = assessment of=20 significant public health events, and disseminating public = health=20 information to States, as appropriate;
offering technical assistance to States in their = response to=20 public health risks and emergencies of international = concern;
supporting States in their efforts to assess their = existing=20 national public health structures and resources, as well = as to=20 develop and strengthen the core public health capacities = for=20 surveillance and response, and at designated points of = entry;
determining whether or not a particular event notified = by a=20 State under the Regulations constitutes a public health = emergency=20 of international concern, with advice from external = experts if=20 required;
developing and recommending the critical health = measures for=20 implementation by States Parties during a PHEIC (with = advice from=20 external experts); and
monitoring the implementation of IHR (2005) and = updating=20 guidelines so that they remain scientifically valid and = consistent=20 with changing requirements.

13. How will = WHO gather=20 public health information and obtain verification = thereof?

The IHR (2005) aim to enhance communications between WHO = and the=20 States. The establishment of a National IHR Focal Point will = give=20 WHO direct access to officials within the State with the=20 decision-making power to alert and notify WHO of events that = may=20 constitute a public health emergency of international = concern.

Under the IHR (2005), States will be required to notify = the WHO=20 IHR Contact Point, at the headquarters or regional level of = the=20 occurrence of such an event within their territory. WHO will = also be=20 in a position to seek verification from States concerning = reports=20 received from sources other than the States themselves. The = State,=20 through the National IHR Focal Point is required to = cooperate in the=20 verification process.

The new notification requirements, together with WHO's=20 requirement to seek verification of unofficial reports of = events=20 with potential international implications, the = confidentiality in=20 the treatment of the information received, and the = availability of=20 prompt assistance for assessment and response through the = Global=20 Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), create = incentives for=20 greater openness.

14. When and = how will WHO=20 issue recommendations concerning public health emergencies = of=20 international concern?

Once WHO has determined that a particular event = constitutes a=20 public health emergency of international concern, the IHR = (2005)=20 require WHO, upon request, to give a 'real-time' response to = the=20 emergency. Based on the details specific to each emergency, = the=20 Director-General of WHO will recommend measures for = implementation=20 by the affected State as well as by other States. These = time-limited=20 recommendations are made available to States and, = subsequently, made=20 public. Depending on the evidence, recommended measures = could then=20 later be modified or terminated. The Emergency Committee = (see=20 Question 4 above) will advise the Director-General on these=20 recommendations.

Travel and trade under the IHR = (2005)

15. How will = the IHR=20 (2005) affect international travel and trade and individual=20 travellers?

International travel and trade

The extent of international travel in the modern world = presents=20 an extraordinary opportunity for international disease = transmission.=20 Global trade has implications in terms of potential = foodborne=20 disease or other contaminated goods. While health measures = to=20 control disease spread at borders remain one important = element of=20 the Regulations, evidence shows that rapid response at the = source is=20 the most effective way to secure maximum protection against=20 international spread of diseases.

One of the objectives of the IHR (2005) is to minimize=20 unnecessary restrictions to travel and trade by specifying, = in=20 real-time, the appropriate public health measures for the = assessed=20 risk. WHO's neutral expert guidance in assessing and = controlling=20 public health risks is key to limiting unnecessary = restrictions on=20 trade and travel. During a public health emergency of = international=20 concern, however, application of time-limited measures = affecting=20 international travel and trade may be recommended.

Individual travellers

The IHR (2005) aim at preventing the international spread = of=20 diseases while limiting unnecessary restrictions on the free = movement of travellers. During public health emergencies of=20 international concern or in connection with specific public = health=20 risks, measures affecting travel may be recommended to avoid = the=20 international spread of disease. Health information, basic=20 examinations and vaccination documentation may be requested = of a=20 traveller by States. At the same time, under the IHR (2005), = States=20 are required to treat travellers with respect for their = dignity,=20 human rights and fundamental freedoms together with = confidential=20 treatment of their personal data.

16. How and = why States=20 Parties are required to designate international airports and = ports=20 and may designate certain ground crossings for capacity=20 strengthening purposes under the IHR (2005)?

Large-scale growth of travel and trade in recent years = has=20 increased the potential and opportunities for international = disease=20 spread. Although rapid response at the source is the most = effective=20 way to prevent disease from crossing borders, routine public = health=20 measures applied to international conveyances and at = airports, ports=20 and ground crossings may further reduce the risk of spread. = States=20 Parties are, therefore, required to designate the key = international=20 airports and ports to develop and strengthen the capacities = provided=20 in Annex 1 of the IHR (2005). Additionally, where justified = for=20 public health reasons, States Parties may designate ground = crossings=20 that shall develop these capacities. These designations = should be=20 made as soon as possible following entry into force of the = IHR=20 (2005) on 15 June 2007, because the timelines established in = the=20 Regulations start running on that date.

Collaboration under the IHR = (2005)

17. How do the = IHR (2005)=20 interact with other international agreements and = bodies?

Under the IHR (2005), States recognize that the = Regulations and=20 other relevant agreements should be compatible. The IHR = (2005)=20 provide for cooperation between WHO and other competent=20 intergovernmental organizations or international bodies in = the=20 implementation of the Regulations. WHO will therefore = continue to=20 foster its longstanding working relationships with a number = of=20 organizations such as the International Atomic Energy = Agency, the=20 International Air Transport Association, the International = Civil=20 Aviation Organization, the International Maritime = Organization, the=20 World Tourism Organization, Food and Agriculture = Organization of the=20 United Nations, the Office International d'Epizooties (World = Organisation for Animal Health) and the World Trade = Organization. In=20 addition to these specialized organizations, WHO will work = with=20 regional economic integration organizations such as the = European=20 Union and the Mercado Com=C3=BAn del Sur (MERCOSUR) in = implementing the=20 Regulations in the countries of their respective = regions.

18. How will = the IHR=20 (2005) affect the Model Deratting and Deratting Exemption=20 certificates, Maritime Declaration of Health, International=20 Certificate of Vaccination or Revaccination against Yellow = Fever and=20 the Health Part of the Aircraft General Declaration?

Model Ship Sanitation/Ship Sanitation Exemption = Certificate=20 replaces the Deratting/Deratting Exemption = certificate

Ship Sanitation/Ship Sanitation Exemption Certificates in = the IHR=20 (2005) will replace the narrower Deratting/Deratting = Exemption=20 Certificates in the IHR (1969) on 15 June 2007. = Deratting/Deratting=20 Exemption Certificates issued before 15 June 2007 will be = valid for=20 six months only, and, in any case will no longer valid after = 14=20 December 2007.

Model Maritime Declaration of Health

The Maritime Declaration of Health has been updated to = reflect=20 the broader scope of the IHR (2005) and currently accepted = technical=20 standards and terminology.

Model International Certificate of Vaccination or = Prophylaxis=20 replaces the International Certificate of Vaccination or=20 Revaccination against Yellow Fever

Yellow fever remains the only disease specifically = designated=20 under the IHR (2005) for which proof of vaccination or = prophylaxis=20 may be required for travellers as a condition of entry to a = State.=20 The international certificate has been revised as follows: = as from=20 June 2007, the current "International certificate of = vaccination or=20 revaccination against yellow fever" will be replaced by the=20 "International certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis".=20 Clinicians who will issue the certificate should note that = the main=20 difference from the old certificate is that they have to = specify in=20 writing in the space provided that the disease for which the = certificate is issued is 'yellow fever'. The new Certificate = no=20 longer contains references to a designated vaccination = centre (See=20 answer to Question 20) and its period of validity is limited = to the=20 date indicated on the certificate for the particular vaccine = or=20 prophylaxis.

Health Part of the Aircraft General = Declaration

This is a document of the International Civil Aviation=20 Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency. The document = is=20 periodically reviewed by ICAO Member States, and has = historically,=20 for practical purposes, been reproduced in the annexes of = the IHR=20 (2005). Consequently, the recent amendments to this = Declaration=20 submitted by ICAO to WHO will be reproduced in future = editions of=20 the IHR (2005).

Specific diseases under the IHR = (2005)

19. How do the = IHR (2005)=20 help to address the risk of an influenza pandemic in = humans?

Under the IHR (2005), all cases of the following four = diseases=20 must be automatically notified to WHO: smallpox; = poliomyelitis due=20 to wild-type poliovirus; SARS; and cases of human influenza = caused=20 by a new subtype. Moreover, in May 2006, concerned about the = public=20 health risk from human cases of avian influenza, the World = Health=20 Assembly called on its Member States to voluntarily = implement in=20 advance a number of key IHR (2005) provisions considered = relevant to=20 the current influenza pandemic threat.

20. What kind = of yellow=20 fever vaccines are valid under the IHR (2005) and must they = be=20 administered at a vaccination centre designated by the State = or at a=20 listed WHO-approved vaccination centre?

Under IHR (2005), each State must designate at least one = yellow=20 fever vaccination centre, but, if it so wishes, no longer = has to=20 restrict the issuance of yellow fever vaccination = certificates to=20 such an officially-designated centre. The yellow fever = vaccine used=20 must be approved by WHO. The WHO no longer maintains a list = of=20 vaccinating centres designated for the administration of = yellow=20 fever vaccine and for the issue of International = Certificates of=20 Vaccination or Revaccination against yellow fever.

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Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and = Response=20 (EPR)

Main content

Frequently asked questions about the=20 International Health Regulations (2005)

General

The legal framework established by = the IHR=20 (2005)

The roles, responsibilities and = obligations=20 of States Parties and WHO under the IHR (2005)

Travel and trade under the IHR = (2005)

Collaboration under the IHR = (2005)

Specific diseases under the IHR = (2005)

General

1. What are = the=20 International Health Regulations (2005) and why does the = world=20 community need them to enhance international health = security?

2. What is the = history of=20 the IHR?

3. Why were = the IHR=20 revised?

4. What are = the major=20 changes in the IHR (2005)?

5. What is = meant by a=20 'public health emergency of international concern' in the = IHR=20 (2005)?

The legal framework established by = the IHR=20 (2005)

6. What is the = legal=20 status of the IHR (2005) and how do they enter into force = for=20 States?

7. How will = compliance=20 with the IHR (2005) be achieved?

8. How will = questions or=20 disputes on the interpretation or application of the IHR = (2005) be=20 resolved?

The roles, responsibilities and = obligations=20 of States Parties and WHO under the IHR (2005)

9.Who will be = responsible=20 for implementing the IHR (2005)?

10. How will = States=20 benefit from the IHR (2005)?

11. According = to the IHR=20 (2005), what are the key obligations for States?

12. According = to the IHR=20 (2005), what are the key obligations for WHO?

13. How will = WHO gather=20 public health information and obtain verification = thereof?

14. When and = how will WHO=20 issue recommendations concerning public health emergencies = of=20 international concern?

Travel and trade under the IHR = (2005)

15. How will = the IHR=20 (2005) affect international travel and trade and individual=20 travellers?

16. How and = why States=20 Parties are required to designate international airports and = ports=20 and may designate certain ground crossings for capacity=20 strengthening purposes under the IHR (2005)?

Collaboration under the IHR = (2005)

17. How do the = IHR (2005)=20 interact with other international agreements and = bodies?

18. How will = the IHR=20 (2005) affect the Model Deratting and Deratting Exemption=20 certificates, Maritime Declaration of Health, International=20 Certificate of Vaccination or Revaccination against Yellow = Fever and=20 the Health Part of the Aircraft General Declaration?

Specific diseases under the IHR = (2005)

19. How do the = IHR (2005)=20 help to address the risk of an influenza pandemic in = humans?

20. What kind = of yellow=20 fever vaccines are valid under the IHR (2005) and must they = be=20 administered at a vaccination centre designated by the State = or at a=20 listed WHO-approved vaccination centre?

Corporate links