Oral

Effective June 15, 2007, the United States and other WHO member countries have agreed to abide by a new set of International Health Regulations (IHR). The IHR (2005) are an international legal framework to help countries assess, manage, and share information about serious health threats that might spread beyond their borders to other parts of the world. In this most recent revision to the International Health Regulations since 1981, member countries must notify WHO of “public health emergencies of international concern,” enhance management of events—especially alert and response actions—and meet minimum core capacities in surveillance and response. To comply with these revised regulations, federal agencies and state and local public health officials will need to work closely together. A panel of HHS, CDC, and WHO speakers will address these questions: What are the IHR (2005)? Why do we need them? What are the key changes from the previous regulations? How will federal, state, and local public health officials work together to comply with the new IHR?

Session Objectives: After this session participants will be able to: Describe why the IHR (2005) are important to prevent the global spread of disease—and to minimize effects on trade and travel. Recognize the expanded requirements for reporting events and specific diseases under the IHR (2005) Recognize the framework of Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC). Analyze the effect of the International Health Regulations on their state and local public health agencies.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing