WHO launches new rules to combat disease

New global rules to help combat health emergencies have come into force.

Under the regulations, all health organisations will have to set up round-the-clock communication with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and report all incidents caused by chemical agents, radioactive materials and contaminated food within 24 hours.

The rules are designed to lessen the chance of influenza and other pandemics by catching them early.

The revised International Health Regulations (IHR) build upon the 1969 guidelines that required countries to report outbreaks of the plague, cholera and yellow fever to the WHO.

Director of the WHO Dr Margaret Chan, described SARS as a “wake-up call”, the outbreak spread faster than predicted and required international cooperation to fight it.

Visit the WHO website for more information.