IHR News
The WHO quarterly bulletin on IHR implementation
What's new in risk and disease control?
WHO GUIDE ON SAFE FOOD FOR TRAVELLERS – SPECIAL EDITION
On the occasion of the recent Olympic Games, WHO and the Ministry of Health, PR China, released a specific adaptation of the WHO Guide on Safe Food for Travellers. The Guide was endorsed by The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) and was distributed in strategic locations such as Beijing airport, Olympic venues, hotels, restaurants and tourist destinations. A hotline number was included in the guide and the Ministry of Health has established a response team. WHO strongly encourages countries to adapt, reproduce and disseminate the recommendations contained in the Guide. It is available in the six official WHO languages plus Croatian at:
The WHO-Ministry of Health PR China guide is available in English and Chinese at:
For further information, please contact Françoise Fontannaz at: fontannazf@who.int
NEW ARTICLE: OBLIGATIONS TO REPORT OUTBREAKS OF FOODBORNE DISEASES UNDER THE IHR (2005)
The journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases has published an article from Australia, which reviewed outbreaks in 2001-2007 that implicated internationally distributed foods. The authors found that 7 (50%) of 14 outbreaks would have required notification to WHO. The report also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the National IHR Focal Point and the National INFOSAN Emergency Contact Point. States Parties are encouraged to follow the example from Australia and undertake a similar analysis on events that have occurred in their country. The article is available at:
More information on INFOSAN Emergency and IHR (2005) is available in the INFOSAN Information Note: The identification, assessment and management of food safety events under the International Health Regulations (2005):
(available in the six official WHO languages).
YELLOW FEVER AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, 4 -5 SEPTEMBER 2008, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
On 4-5 September 2008, WHO organized a consultation on yellow fever and international travel with over forty international experts, country representatives and WHO staff. The main objective was to review the criteria for inclusion or removal of countries and/or areas from the yellow fever transmission list. The participants also reviewed the criteria to develop a list of countries and areas from which vector control disinsection would be required for conveyances in order to prevent the transmission of yellow fever according to Annex V of the IHR. The consultation also debated issues related to mapping yellow fever risk. For further information please contact: ihrinfo@who.int
ANTHRAX IN HUMANS AND ANIMALS, FOURTH EDITION
The WHO Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response has released the revised Anthrax in humans and animals, Fourth edition. This updated edition encompasses a systematic review of the extensive new scientific literature and relevant publications up to end 2007, including all the new information that emerged in the 3–4 years after the anthrax letter events. It is available in electronic format only, at:
THREE INFECTION CONTROL AIDE-MÉMOIRES
The WHO Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response has released three infection control aide-mémoires on acute respiratory diseases and avian influenza that provide key information such as background, important advice and a checklist, at a glance:
- Early recognition, reporting and infection control management of acute respiratory diseases of potential international concern:
- Epidemic- and pandemic-prone acute respiratory diseases - Infection prevention and control in health care:
- Infection control recommendations for avian influenza in health-care facilities:
CITIES AND PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES – INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL CONSULTATION, 29-30 OCTOBER 2008, LYON, FRANCE
WHO/IHR Coordination, in collaboration with the French regional competitive cluster Lyonbiopôle
will hold an international technical consultation, “Cities and public health crises” on 29-30 October 2008 in Lyon, France. This consultation, comprised of approximately 50 international experts, will contribute to the development of WHO guidelines for public health and municipal authorities on response to public health emergencies within the particular context of urban settings. It will also add to the preparation of the BioVision 2009 conference entitled “Life in the City: Managing urban epidemics”
The consultation will focus on three main areas: - respective roles of municipal and national authorities in the management of a public health emergency, including business continuity; - technical management of public health emergencies in urban settings; - communications, social mobilization and the role of the media during a public health emergency in urban settings. While the consultation is restricted, the background paper, meeting report and guidelines will be posted at: