The International Health Regulations bind 197 countries to notify cross-border health risks to WHO

Background

The International Health Regulations (2005) provide an overarching legal framework that defines the rights and obligations of countries in managing public health risks, events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders.
They are an instrument of international law that is legally binding on 197 countries, including the 194 WHO Member States.
Countries must designate or establish Responsible Authorities and must establish and maintain core capacities for surveillance and response, as well as at points of entry.
They must notify WHO of public health risks and events with actual or potential international public health implications, regardless of their origin or source, and must verify information that WHO has picked up from informal and unofficial sources.
The Regulations place an obligation on WHO itself to maintain the global public health early warning function and to coordinate international response efforts.
Further provisions cover international traffic, including health documents for international travellers and for conveyances on an international voyage.
Safeguards protect individual rights in the treatment of personal data, in informed consent and in non-discrimination in the application of health measures.
The stated purpose is to prevent, prepare for, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease while avoiding unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade.