Report of the Ad Hoc Committee meeting on Orthopoxvirus Infections, 2004

The Committee was briefed on the WHO Operational Framework for detecting, verifying, characterizing, assessing and responding to epidemic disease threats. A draft paper on mechanisms for the acquisition and release of smallpox vaccine by WHO was discussed in working groups and in plenary session. The Committee supported the concepts described in the document and made a number of recommendations concerning its content. A revised document incorporating these recommendations is to be prepared by the WHO Secretariat. 

The recommendations made in 1994 by the Ad Hoc Committee on orthopoxvirus infections were briefly considered. It was agreed that the Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research should be empowered to revise the recommendations on research issues in the light of the technological advances that have been made since they were first made. These revisions could be made without seeking approval of the Ad Hoc Committee on Orthopoxvirus infections. The Ad Hoc Committee will be informed of the changes as part of the normal reporting process of the Advisory Committee.