Pan American Health Organization

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According to this August 2006 Newsletter... 

Countries Call for Early Compliance with Health Regulations

In Full Here...
http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PIN/ptoday06_aug06.htm

Excerpt...

In one of the most significant actions of this year's World Health Assembly, WHO member countries urged early implementation of parts of the new International Health Regulations (IHR) that relate to avian influenza and the threat of a human flu pandemic.

The new provisions allow WHO to gather information from unofficial sources, and they spell out when and how the organization may share information about human cases of avian or pandemic flu in Member States. The provisions allow WHO to make information about outbreaks in one country available to other member countries when:

The director-general formally determines that the outbreak is a "public health emergency of international concern." 
There is evidence that the disease has already spread internationally. 
Control measures do not appear likely to succeed. 
The affected country is not capable of preventing further spread of the disease. 
The threat of the disease spreading through the international movement of people and goods is so great that international control measures are needed immediately. 
According to the IHR, WHO may inform the general public about such an event if information about it has already become public and "there is a need for the dissemination of authoritative and independent information."
In addition, the accelerated provisions detail procedures that WHO's director-general should follow in making recommendations for controlling the spread of avian or pandemic flu through international travel and trade. 
After consulting with member governments and an expert Emergency Committee, he or she may recommend measures such as exit screening, refused entry for suspected cases, isolation and treatment of affected travelers, required vaccination or prophylaxis, and required medical exams. 

Other recommendations could include decontamination of baggage, cargo, and conveyances (planes, ships, vehicles) or seizure of contaminated goods or containers.
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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Pan American Health Organization Posted: September 18 2006 at 1:32pm
	According to this August 2006 Newsletter... Countries Call for Early Compliance with Health Regulations In Full Here... http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PIN/ptoday06_aug06.htm Excerpt... In one of the most significant actions of this year's World Health Assembly, WHO member countries urged early implementation of parts of the new International Health Regulations (IHR) that relate to avian influenza and the threat of a human flu pandemic. The new provisions allow WHO to gather information from unofficial sources, and they spell out when and how the organization may share information about human cases of avian or pandemic flu in Member States. The provisions allow WHO to make information about outbreaks in one country available to other member countries when: The director-general formally determines that the outbreak is a "public health emergency of international concern." There is evidence that the disease has already spread internationally. Control measures do not appear likely to succeed. The affected country is not capable of preventing further spread of the disease. The threat of the disease spreading through the international movement of people and goods is so great that international control measures are needed immediately. According to the IHR, WHO may inform the general public about such an event if information about it has already become public and "there is a need for the dissemination of authoritative and independent information." In addition, the accelerated provisions detail procedures that WHO's director-general should follow in making recommendations for controlling the spread of avian or pandemic flu through international travel and trade. After consulting with member governments and an expert Emergency Committee, he or she may recommend measures such as exit screening, refused entry for suspected cases, isolation and treatment of affected travelers, required vaccination or prophylaxis, and required medical exams. Other recommendations could include decontamination of baggage, cargo, and conveyances (planes, ships, vehicles) or seizure of contaminated goods or containers. ......................................................................