World Health Organization Reinforces Pandemic Regulations
The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its International Health Regulations (IHR) to better prepare for potential pandemics. The updated rules aim to prevent and combat the cross-border spread of diseases, as the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated inadequate global disease preparedness.
The updated IHR came into force on September 19, 2021. Each country must create capacities to detect, monitor, and immediately combat disease pathogens. A national authority should be tasked with this in each country, and a WHO committee should support countries in setting it up.
The WHO Director-General can only make recommendations for measures under the new health regulations. National governments still have the final say on protective measures, despite the WHO's ability to declare a pandemic emergency.
During a pandemic emergency, the WHO can declare it when a virus appears worldwide that threatens to spread across borders, when the capacity of health systems is threatened, significant social and economic consequences are imminent, and an internationally coordinated response is necessary.
In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Health is responsible for implementing the updated international health regulations into national law and coordinating pandemic preparedness, including setting up laboratories and clinics prepared for new infections. The required capacities also include the ability to deal with misinformation about diseases or protective measures.
The updated rules allow the WHO to declare a "pandemic emergency" as the highest alert level. The draft states that airports and harbors may incur costs for laboratory testing of samples if there are no existing agreements.
A global pandemic treaty is being negotiated among WHO member countries to improve pandemic preparedness. The aim of the pandemic treaty is to ensure fair distribution of aid and vaccines worldwide in crisis situations. Nina Warken (CDU), the German Minister, emphasizes the importance of interstate cooperation to prevent or contain global crises.
The WHO does not have the power to order lockdowns, mandatory vaccinations, or border closures. Countries can choose to implement WHO recommendations or not. However, the possibility of new, even more devastating pandemics remains high due to inadequate global health crisis preparedness.
The German Federal Ministry of Health has brought a bill to parliament and the Bundesrat regarding the IHR update. The updated rules aim to better prevent and combat the cross-border spread of diseases, ensuring a more coordinated and effective global response to future pandemics.
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