In 2003, controversy surrounding early reporting of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) by the Chinese government is confounded by international law as defined in the International Health Regulations (IHR), that constitutes the "only international health agreement on communicable diseases that is binding on [WHO] Member States" (International Law, Communicable Diseases and the Geopolitical Objective of Minimal Interference with World Trade and Travel). Following intensive international discussion, the World Health Organization revised this agreement in 2004, expanding discussion associated with the threat of emerging infectious diseases for the United States and United Nations member countries.

New and reemerging infectious diseases will pose a rising global health threat and will complicate US and global security over the next 20 years. These diseases will endanger US citizens at home and abroad, threaten US armed forces deployed overseas, and exacerbate social and political instability in key countries and regions in which the United States has significant interests. -- The Global Infectious Disease Threat and Its Implications for the United States: National Intelligence Council , January 2000.

Stephen M. Apatow, Director of Research and Development  
Humanitarian University Consortium Graduate Studies Center for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Law
[Vitae][Email]

Introduction

The objective of this course is to provide an overview of the newly revised WHO International Health Regulations in the context of surveillance, containment and control of emerging infectious disease threats.  The newly revised International Health Regulations (IHR) entered into force on 15 June 2007:

Notification is required under IHR (2005) for all "events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern". In this regard, the broad new definitions of "event", "disease" and "public health risk" in the IHR (2005) are the building blocks of the surveillance obligations for States Parties and WHO. "Disease" means "an illness or medical condition, irrespective of origin or source, that presents or could present significant harm to humans". The term "event" is broadly defined as "a manifestation of disease or an occurrence that creates a potential for disease". "Public health risk" refers to "a likelihood of an event that may affect adversely the health of human populations, with an emphasis on one which may spread internationally or may present a serious and direct danger". A public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) is defined as "an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response". Consequently, events of potential international concern, which require States Parties to notify WHO, can extend beyond communicable diseases and arise from any origin or source.

This course is designed in a self-study format whereby the student utilizes the online educational resources listed below to support review and completion of the IHR Online Test.  Additional study materials have been provided to further support this educational objective.

To begin, study and review of the online resources linked below.  Your registration will be submitted in conjunction with the completion of the International Health Regulations Online Test form.

I.  Study Materials

• "International Health Regulations (Newly Revised: 2005)." World Health Organization Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR).
• "International Health Regulations enter into force." World Health Organization, 14 June 2007.

• International Health Regulations Online Test

• Public Health Law Program: U.S. Centers for Disease Control.