New WHO guidelines will limit epidemic outbreaks

The World Health Organization has issued new rules to limit the international spread of epidemics and other public health emergencies.

The new rules which have just come into effect require states to report anything that could result in public health emergencies of international concern, such as those caused by radioactive materials or chemicals and contaminated food.

The new rules will be tested for preparedness on Friday in an exercise which will trial new procedures for receiving, analysing and responding to information about potential public health emergencies.

The exercise will also test policy direction and coordination, information management and risk assessment capacity and communications between the Regional and Country Offices and Headquarters of WHO.

Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO says in 2003, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), which killed 800 people worldwide, was a wake-up call as it demonstrated how rapidly a new disease can spread, and how no country acting alone can protect itself from such public health threats.

SARS was eventually only contained through intensive co-operation between countries.

Dr. Chan says an influenza pandemic currently presents the greatest threat to international public health security.

The innovative new guidelines aim to limit the spread of a disease while minimizing disruptions to travel, trade and economies and were agreed upon by 193 countries at the World Health Assembly in 2005.

They represent a major step forward in international public health security and it is believed they will help to make the world more secure from threats to global health issues.

The new guidelines require countries to develop and maintain a response protocol and surveillance for outbreaks within five years, be able to provide alerts to WHO 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and recognize the rights of international travelers to be treated with respect for their dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms when health measures are applied.

Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has already criticised the rules because details such as who pays to move a patient or cares for a patient in isolation are not spelled out.

Such issues were of course highlighted by the recent case of the globetrotting TB patient Andrew Speaker who triggered an international health alert.