While international transport, travel and trade contribute to economic development and the welfare of populations, they may also pose public health risks. Today’s high level of traffic at points of entry can play a key role in the international spread of diseases through persons, conveyances and goods.

Points of entry provisions in the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) outline obligations and recommendations enabling countries to prevent, prepare for and respond to public health risks at the three categories of international airports, ports and ground crossings.

Under the IHR, States Parties are requested to maintain effective public health measures and response capacity at designated points of entry. WHO helps assess travel recommendations; it provides guidance to countries and coordinates simulation exercises, external evaluations and After Action reviews.

This work is critical to global circulation of people, goods and services: worldwide airport passenger numbers reached 6.3 billion in 2013, while 50 000 commercial vessels transport every kind of cargo, and ground crossings can see the passage of as many as 50 000 people a day.