In consideration of the increases in international travel and
trade, and emergence and reemergence of international disease
threats and other health risks, 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."
Because the IHR are not limited to specific diseases, but are
applicable to health risks, irrespective of their origin or
source, they should remain current with developments in the
evolution of diseases and the factors affecting their emergence
and transmission. The IHR also require States to strengthen core
surveillance and response capacities at the primary,
intermediate and national level, as well as at