About us
The Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Infectious Hazards with Pandemic and Epidemic Potential (STAG-IH) provides independent advice and analysis to WHO on the infectious hazards that may pose a potential threat to global health security. It has an umbrella function as the overarching group advising WHO on relevant infectious hazards.
The STAG-IH was established by the WHO Director-General in 2018 following the recommendation made by the Review Committee on the Role of the International Health Regulations (2005) in the Ebola Outbreak and Response (WHQ/69/21).
Terms of reference
The main functions of the STAG-IH are to:
- provide independent assessment of the global context and horizon scanning of infectious diseases with pandemic and epidemic potential including newly emerging and re-emerging zoonosis;
- advise WHO on the prioritization of WHO’s strategies and activities in prevention, preparedness and response related to infectious hazards with pandemic and epidemic potential;
- upon requests by WHO and as the overarching group advising WHO on infectious hazards with pandemic and epidemic potential, to support the Organization in the coordination of, and in providing oversight on, its various mechanisms involved in infectious hazard prevention and control (e.g., technical/scientific advisory groups on specific diseases) for greater global health security;
- upon request by WHO, review information about new and emerging infectious diseases and ongoing outbreaks and provide advice on further investigation, prevention and control, research and innovation;
- support WHO in providing technical and scientific advice to external or independent groups (e.g., Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB)) on issues related to infectious hazards with pandemic and epidemic potential.