International health regulations (2005)

Abstract

On 23 May 2005, the Fifty-eighth World Health Assembly by its Resolution WHA58.3 adopted the International Health Regulations (2005). The International Health Regulations (IHRs) in accordance with Article 59 thereof should enter into force on 15 June 2007. Member States of the African Region participated fully in the different meetings for negotiation on the International Health Regulations, thus helping to achieve a broad consensus on public health events of international concern. 2. Following the emergence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in several countries of Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East and considering the risk of possible emergence of a pandemic virus, the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly, on 26 May 2006, adopted Resolution WHA59.2 on Application of the International Health Regulations (2005). That resolution urges Member States to comply immediately, on a voluntary basis, with the provisions of the IHRs (2005) considered relevant to the risk posed by avian influenza and pandemic influenza.