[afro-nets] WHO issues new disease rules

["Leela McCullough" <leela@healthnet.org>]

WHO issues new disease rules
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AFP Published: Jun 14, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR - Countries will be legally bound to prevent cross-border disease from spreading under a new global framework, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

The updated International Health Regulations, which come into effect on June 15, means all 193 member countries will be bound to contain diseases, especially emerging threats such as the bird flu virus.

"When these international health regulations are implemented tomorrow it will ensure the world of public health security," said David Heymann, WHO assistant director-general for communicable diseases.

"These international collective actions...will help counter diseases which are an acute threat to our public health," he told reporters at the sidelines of a health conference of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) here.

Heymann said the new framework will require countries to improve international surveillance and reporting mechanisms, besides strengthening countries? abilities to respond to disease threats.

The last detailed revision of the rules in 1969 effectively only allowed worldwide controls to stop cholera, plague and yellow fever.

But the revamped rules will include reporting on emerging, country-hopping infections such as SARS, and new variants of influenza and polio, the WHO has said.

It will also include threats from other health risks such as chemical spills or nuclear melt-downs.

While it will be easier for developed countries to comply with the new requirements, the WHO will help poorer nations which lack basic health facilities, Heymann said.

"It will be a very great challenge for countries to develop their core capacities, especially the low income countries," he said.

Heymann said the regulations will also cover Taiwan, which has been repeatedly denied full membership by WHO members.

"Taiwan is actually not excluded from the International Health Regulations. We work with the government of China to be sure Taiwan has the representation it needs and also the support from WHO that it needs," he said.

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Leela McCullough, Ed.D.
Director of Information Services

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