Revising the International Health Regulations

In the past few decades, infectious diseases have re-emerged as a growing threat to global health security. Both "new" diseases such as SARS and BSE, and "old" ones such as tuberculosis, and influenza, have had serious impacts for Canada and the world. Increases in antimicrobial resistance, in diseases transmitted from animals to humans, and in international trade and travel all compound the public health threat posed by infectious diseases.

In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) is revamping the International Health Regulations (IHR), the central legal framework addressing the international spread and control of infectious diseases. The current Regulations date back to 1969 and only address three specific diseases - yellow fever, cholera and the plague. Along with other Member States, Canada supports the need to update the Regulations and is actively participating in the negotiating process. An intergovernmental meeting of all WHO Member States on the revisions was held in Geneva, 1-12 November, 2004. Based on the outcome of these negotiations, the Chair of the intergovernmental meeting has prepared a proposed Chair's text of revisions to the IHR. This text will form the basis for the second session of negotiations that will take place in Geneva from February 21-26, 2005 .

The goal of the Regulations remains to ensure the maximum security against the international spread of disease with minimum interference with world traffic. The revised regulations (67 articles and 9 annexes) will constitute a legally binding international agreement governing key elements in the prevention and control of infectious disease spread, including:

• disease surveillance;
• determination of public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC)
• notification, verification and response to a PHEIC;
• provisions for routine and emergency health measures at airports, ports, ground crossings;
• provisions for conveyances and conveyance operators, goods, containers and container loading areas, as possible sources of infection or contamination; and
• surveillance of travellers and other migrant populations.

The revised IHR should reflect the current reality of new and re-emerging infectious diseases. In an increasingly globalized world, journey times are often shorter than the incubation period of disease, placing Canadian cities and citizens at risk of being affected by outbreaks which begin in other parts of the world. Canada believes that the WHO has both the mandate and the expertise to lead international co-operation in this area. Completion of negotiations and adoption of the revised Regulations by the World Health Assembly is scheduled for May 2005.

More information on the International Health Regulations (IHR) revisions process can be found through the following web links:

• General information on IHR

• Intergovernmental Working Group on the Revision of the IHR
  (February 21-26, 2005 )

• Access to the draft IHR revisions: Proposal by Chair
  (24 January 2005)

• Access to the draft IHR revisions: Proposal by Chair - CORRIGENDUM
  (24 January 2005)

• Canadian Stakeholder Comments on the January 12, 2004 Working Paper on the revised International Health Regulations

• Update on recent developments in the IHR revision process
  (14 December 2004 )

• WHO Frequently Asked Questions on IHRs revisions

• Other country views on IHR revisions

• WHO Regional Offices' press releases on the IHRs revision process:

• Revised International Health Regulations Address Global Threats (Pan American Region)

• European countries gather to consult on new regulations to meet the international public health challenges of the 21st century  (European Region)

• WHO calls for better weapons in the war on disease
  (Western Pacific Region)

• Text of existing International Health Regulations  (1969)

• Access to WHO document "Global crises, global solutions - Managing public health emergencies of international concern through the revised International Health Regulations"