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International Health Regulations

The International Health Regulations (IHR) are an international legal instrument that is binding on 194 countries across the globe, including all the Member States of WHO. Their aim is to help the international community prevent and respond to acute public health risks that have the potential to cross borders and threaten people worldwide.

The IHR, which entered into force on 15 June 2007, require countries to report certain disease outbreaks and public health events to WHO. Building on the unique experience of WHO in global disease surveillance, alert and response, the IHR define the rights and obligations of countries to report public health events, and establish a number of procedures that WHO must follow in its work to uphold global public health security.


GENERAL

About the International Health Regulations

IHR News
The WHO quarterly bulletin on IHR implementation

RELATED TOPICS

- Alert & Response Operations
- Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network
- The International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN)
- Chemical incidents and emergencies
- International travel and health
- Radiation accidents and emergencies
- Health care waste

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

National surveillance and response
National alert and response systems

Ports, airports and ground crossings

- More about the International Health Regulations

PUBLICATIONS

International Health Regulations (2005)

The world health report 2007 - A safer future: global public health security in the 21st century

- More publications about IHR


WHO PROGRAMMES

International Health Regulations (IHR)

WHO Lyon Office for National Epidemic Preparedness and Response

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS IN WHO REGIONS

African Region
Region of the Americas
Eastern Mediterranean Region
European Region
South-East Asia Region
Western Pacific Region


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