2010-04-05-世界卫生组织-WHO_guidance_for_the_use_of_Annex_2_of_the_International_Health_Regulations_2005_60页_431kb

Summary of WHO Guidance for Use of Annex 2 to the IHR (2005)

This guidance facilitates national public health authorities' use of the decision instrument contained in Annex 2 of the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) to assess events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

1. Decision Instrument Criteria

Any event requiring notification under Art.6, based on the Annex 2 decision instrument, must satisfy at least two of the following four criteria:

• Serious Public Health Impact: The event has a potentially high impact.

  • Considerations include: large case/death count, epidemic potential, high pathogen virulence/infectiousness, impediments to response, contamination of water or food supply.

• Unusual or Unexpected: The event is relatively rare or unexpected.

  • Considerations include: unknown causative agent, unusual symptoms/evolution, unexpected re-emergence of a previously controlled disease, origin inappropriately common or sudden increase.

• Significant Risk of International Spread: There is a risk of disease disseminating abroad.

  • Considerations include: epidemiological link to other nations, international travel by cases/exposure, cross-border contamination potential.

• Significant Risk of International Travel or Trade Restrictions: Measures restricting exchange may be imposed due to the event.

  • Considerations include: past occurrence of such measures, goods/food contamination, association with international gatherings or tourism, requests for information from other countries.

2. Notifiable Categories

• Primary Category: Events that fulfill at least two public health criteria mentioned above require assessment by the instrument.
• Secondary Category (Always Notify): Cases of four specific diseases (Smallpox, SARS, Swine Influenza [new subtype], Poliomyelitis [wild poliovirus]) must be notified irrespective of meeting the first category.

3. Scope and Use

The instrument was developed to standardize evaluations and broaden surveillance beyond specific communicable diseases (contraction to include chemical/toxicological/radiological hazards).
Its routine use supports early communication, facilitates WHO collaboration, offers support across borders, and promotes safer travel/business environments.

4. Consultation

Where definitive decision on an event is not possible, WHO offers confidential consultation (via Article 8) to guide national response without formal notification.

5. Conclusion

This guidance equips national authorities with necessary tools to timely identify and report potential international threats, safeguarding global health security.