PMID: 18181505Jan 10, 2008Paper

Implementing the new International Health Regulations in the Pacific--challenges and opportunities

Pacific Health Dialog
Hitoshi OshitaniTom Kiedrzynski

Abstract

The newly revised International Health Regulations, i.e. IHR (2005), adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2005, are the legally binding international instruments for preventing and controlling international spread of disease while avoiding unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade. IHR (2005), which will enter into force in June 2007, set out new obligations for detection, assessment and notification of and response to public health events of international concern. In particular, under the IHR (2005), each Member State is required to notify WHO directly of any event that may consititue a public health emergency of international concern. Although the implementation of the new IHR to contribute to regional and global health security will be very challenging in the Pacific, they provide new opportunities for the Pacific Island Countries and areas (PICs) to build, strengthen and maintain their core capacities for surveillance and response. This article describes the major changes in the new Regulations and discusses the opportunity of using existing mechanisms for the implementation of IHR (2005). In the PICs, while strengthening the capacity of national public health surveillance and response systems is ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.