IHR News
The WHO quarterly bulletin on IHR implementation
What’s new in risk and disease control
UNWTO/IHR Awareness workshop, 25-27 August 2009, Madrid, Spain
On 25-27 August 2009, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) convened the workshop, “Travel and tourism under pandemic conditions”. The workshop brought together over 30 representatives from public administrations, the private sector and international organizations. WHO representatives were invited to provide guidance on IHR in light of light of pandemic (H1N1) 2009. The overall objective of the workshop was to anticipate and plan for challenges that the current pandemic may bring in the coming months. For further information contact: ihrinfo@who.int
Development of research protocol for public health measures at points of entry during Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus, Informal technical consultation, 24–25 August 2009, Lyon, France
The objective of the WHO informal technical consultation was to reach consensus on the proposed methodology, tools, strategy and procedures for research on health measures at points of entry. Discussions focused on lessons learned from pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Expected results of the proposed research project include a better understanding of the type, effectiveness, and resources required for public health control measures applied at points of entry (PoE); identification of the challenges in the application or non application of public health control measures at PoE; identification of criteria to be used for decision making in the application of particular public health control measures at PoE, and possible guidance in the development of core capacities at PoE. Participants included experts from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hamburg Port Health Center, the Airports Council International (ACI), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), International Aviation Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Shipping Federation (ISF). For further information, contact: ihrtransport@who.int
Global Patient Safety Challenge, 1-2 September 2009, Geneva, Switzerland
WHO Headquarters and the six Regional Offices met with the network of the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS) to identify potential synergies within the scope of an expanded network of laboratories. The objective of this network of networks would be to generate laboratory-based surveillance data on antimicrobial resistance and make the data available to member laboratories. Participants of the meeting also explored opportunities for partnering EARSS member laboratories with laboratories in resource-limited countries to contribute to WHO global strategy for worldwide surveillance of drug resistance. For further information, contact: ihrinfo@who.int
Third Meeting of the Regional Aviation Medicine Team of the Cooperative Arrangement for the Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Air Transport (CAPSCA) - Asia-Pacific Region, 3-4 September 2009, Bangkok, Thailand
The aim of CAPSCA is to help reduce the risk of spread of pandemic influenza, and other communicable diseases that are capable of causing serious ill health by means of cooperative arrangements between participating states. The objective of the Asia-Pacific region meeting was to develop technical guidance on specific topics relevant to preparedness planning in the aviation sector that are currently approached differently from one state to another. The risk in the aviation sector can be mitigated and managed by implementation through better awareness and the development of emergency response plans for air transport. WHO supports CAPSCA while providing assistance to states in implementing these plans as part of the core capacity requirements for points of entry. The meeting included representatives from Thai Airways International Public Company Ltd., Bangkok Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, WHO Headquarters and the Regional Office for the Western Pacific, International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organization, (ICAO) and IOM. For further information contact: ihrtransport@who.int
Tourism Emergency Response Network (TERN)
TERN is a grouping of the leading tourism associations around the world that was launched in April 2006 under the auspices of the World Tourism Organization. The overall objective of the network is to make travel and destinations safe for tourists. In the face of pandemic (H1N1) 2009, UNWTO took the initiative in mobilizing the travel trade industries and has been convening regular teleconferences with WHO and other UN agencies and stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry. The guiding principles of TERN are to: share real time information and ideas; give clear, concise and geographically specific public messages; and seek close media liaison to better share information as necessary. For further information:http://www.ternalert.org/about/about_tern/Default.aspx http://www.ternalert.org/about/about_tern/Default.aspx
Polio eradication: Independent evaluation under way
The independent evaluation of the major barriers to interrupting polio transmission is well underway, and team leaders are expected to present their recommendations to the Oversight Committee at the end of September. Five sub-teams have been formed of which four have been deployed to Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan - the remaining endemic countries – and the fifth team is focusing on issues relating to wild poliovirus' international spread. The evaluation was requested by WHO's Executive Board in January 2009, two years after the start of the “Intensified Eradication Effort”. It has been charged with identifying area-specific solutions to the barriers to interrupting polio transmission in each affected country. The recommendations will lead to area-specific action plans, that will be incorporated into the 2010- 2014 Strategic Plan of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. For further information: http://www.polioeradication.org/content/general/LatestNews200908.asp#03
Infection-control measures for health care of patients with acute respiratory diseases in community settings: Guide for trainers and trainees
Acute respiratory diseases (ARDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality from infectious disease in the world. ARDs are also among the most frequent reasons for consulting a health-care worker or being admitted to a health-care facility and the recent epidemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), have demonstrated the critical importance of effective infection-control measures in health care. The newly released Infectioncontrol measures for health care of patients with acute respiratory diseases in community settings: Guide for trainers and trainees was developed to help community and other healthcare workers better recognize patients with symptoms of ARDs and those who are at the greatest risk of acquiring a severe ARD; and understand how these diseases are transmitted. Raise community awareness of ARDs of potential international concern that may cause epidemics and pandemics, such as SARS and cases of avian influenza in humans.
Trainer’s Guide:
Trainee's Guide:
WHO Outbreak Communication Planning Guide – Now available in French and Spanish
The 2008 edition of the WHO Outbreak Communication Planning Guide is now available in French and Spanish:
- Guide de l’OMS sur la planification de la communication lors des flambées de maladies
- Guía de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para planificar la comunicación en caso de brotes epidémicos
To obtain a printed copy, please contact Ms Tiffany Domingo at domingoc@who.int