SARS Prompts Broader Powers WHO
New Regulations to Protect Against Infectious Disease Threats
May 28, 2003 -- Recognizing SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) as "the first severe infectious disease to emerge in the twenty-first century," the World Health Organization (WHO) today approved sweeping new regulations to give the organization authority to track and respond to future global health threats.
It's the first proposed major revision of the International Health Regulations since 1969. The regulations provide the legal framework for the global surveillance and reporting of infectious diseases, such as SARS.
The revisions, which are expected to be completed in 2005, will also give the organization greater power to enforce measures designed to prevent the international spread of infectious diseases and minimize interference with world traffic.
"This is an extremely significant step for international public health," said Gro Harlem Brundtland, MD, director-general of WHO, in a news release. "SARS has shown us the size of the challenges we face. These new measures will help us respond even more effectively to the next public health threat."
The new regulations will allow the WHO to verify disease outbreaks through official and unofficial sources, conduct on-the-spot investigations when necessary to determine the severity of an outbreak, and check to see if appropriate control measures are in place.
The current regulations limit mandatory reporting of just a few diseases to the WHO, but the new rules will broaden notification requirements to include "public health emergencies of international concern," such as bioterrorism.
In their resolution adopted today at the meeting of the WHO's governing body in Geneva, representatives from more than 190 countries stated that "national and international experiences with SARS contribute lessons that can improve preparedness for responding to, and mitigating the public health, economic, and social consequences of the next emerging infectious disease, the next influenza pandemic, and the possible use of a biological agent to cause harm."
The delegates also urged all member states to improve the system to ensure rapid two-way communication between the WHO and national public health authorities.
In a related move, a unanimous resolution on SARS that called for all nations to "report cases promptly and transparently and provide requested information to WHO" was also approved.
SARS Prompts Broader Powers for WHO
New Regulations to Protect Against Infectious Disease Threats
May 28, 2003 -- Recognizing SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) as "the first severe infectious disease to emerge in the twenty-first century," the World Health Organization (WHO) today approved sweeping new regulations to give the organization authority to track and respond to future global health threats.
It's the first proposed major revision of the International Health Regulations since 1969. The regulations provide the legal framework for the global surveillance and reporting of infectious diseases, such as SARS.
The revisions, which are expected to be completed in 2005, will also give the organization greater power to enforce measures designed to prevent the international spread of infectious diseases and minimize interference with world traffic.
"This is an extremely significant step for international public health," said Gro Harlem Brundtland, MD, director-general of WHO, in a news release. "SARS has shown us the size of the challenges we face. These new measures will help us respond even more effectively to the next public health threat."
Verifying Infectious Disease Quickly
The new regulations will allow the WHO to verify disease outbreaks through official and unofficial sources, conduct on-the-spot investigations when necessary to determine the severity of an outbreak, and check to see if appropriate control measures are in place.
The current regulations limit mandatory reporting of just a few diseases to the WHO, but the new rules will broaden notification requirements to include "public health emergencies of international concern," such as bioterrorism.
In their resolution adopted today at the meeting of the WHO's governing body in Geneva, representatives from more than 190 countries stated that "national and international experiences with SARS contribute lessons that can improve preparedness for responding to, and mitigating the public health, economic, and social consequences of the next emerging infectious disease, the next influenza pandemic, and the possible use of a biological agent to cause harm."
The delegates also urged all member states to improve the system to ensure rapid two-way communication between the WHO and national public health authorities.
In a related move, a unanimous resolution on SARS that called for all nations to "report cases promptly and transparently and provide requested information to WHO" was also approved.
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