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About the IHR

Key document

Areas of work for IHR implementation
Guide for WHO countries in the implementation of obligations

Since 15 June 2007, the world has been implementing the International Health Regulations (2005). This legally-binding agreement significantly contributes to global public health security by providing a new framework for the coordination of the management of events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern, and will improve the capacity of all countries to detect, assess, notify and respond to public health threats.

Countries that are States Parties to the Regulations have two years to assess their capacity and develop national action plans followed by three years to meet the requirements of the Regulations regarding their national surveillance and response systems as well as the requirements at designated airports, ports and certain ground crossings (a two-year extension may be obtained, and, in exceptional circumstances, an additional extension could be granted, not exceeding two years).


ARE YOU INFORMED?

What are the IHR?

Guidance for national policy-makers and partners [pdf 434kb]

Three top priorities for States Parties [pdf 28kb]

Ten things you need to do to implement the IHR

Frequently asked questions about IHR (2005) [pdf 83kb]


INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS BRIEFS

IHR brief no. 1 [pdf 25kb]
Introduction to the IHR (2005)

IHR brief no. 2 [pdf 42kb]
Notification and other reporting requirements under the IHR (2005)

IHR brief no. 3 [pdf 39kb]
Points of entry under the IHR (2005)

Related links

- IHR archives: including information on how the IHR were revised
- Partnerships
- International Health Regulations E-library
- International Health Regulations Coordination WHO Lyon Office


HIGHLIGHTS

Biosafety-Biosecurity

IHR implementation course
IHR implementation course, on-the-job training, from 22 March to 30 July 2010, now accepting applications

LQMS Training Toolkit CD-Rom [pdf 285kb]
Click here to find out about this Laboratory Training Toolkit CD-Rom. Its full content will be available on line soon.

Global Survey of Laboratory Quality Standards and External Quality Assessment Schemes
Participate in the survey, download the questionnaire in English, French, Spanish or Russian. New deadline: 23 October 2009

Download the IHR
Read the overview and download the document in six languages

Training
Request to access the IHR training site

E-library
Knowledge, training and resources to support IHR implementation

Disease outbreak news
Recent updates on ongoing events

Guide to Hygiene and Sanitation in Aviation [pdf 676kb]
Third Edition, 2009 -- Advance copy
IHR IN THE WHO REGIONAL OFFICES

Africa
Americas
Eastern Mediterranean
Europe
South-East Asia
Western Pacific
WHO LYON OFFICE

National epidemic preparedness
CONTACT INFORMATION

ihrinfo@who.int