International Health Regulations (2005)

The Fifty-eighth World Health Assembly in 2005 adopted the revised International Health Regulations (IHR). The new IHR entered into force on 15 June, 2007. Their stated purpose and scope are: to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks, and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade. The IHR also require states to strengthen core surveillance and response capacities at the primary, intermediate and national level, as well as at designated international ports, airports and ground crossings. They further introduce a series of new health documents, including ship sanitation certificates and an international certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis for travelers. Finally, this second edition includes a new foreword and the Health Part of the Aircraft General Declaration (as revised by the International Civil Aviation Organization), as well as Appendices listing: States Parties to the IHR; and reservations, objections and declarations received from States Parties.