Enhancing preparedness and response capacities to Zika virus infection1

摘要

WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, on the advice of the Emergency Committee set up under the International Health Regulations (2005), declared that clusters of microcephaly and other neurological disorders reported in Brazil, following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014, constitute a public health emergency of international concern. Following this declaration, the WHO Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) conducted two rounds of emergency meetings with a view of enhancing preparedness and readiness for Zika virus infection and associated conditions, in conjunction with representatives of the ministries of health of 12 countries. The first round was held on 22–23 February in Cairo, Egypt, inaugurated by Dr Jaouad Mahjour, Director of Programme Management; while the second round was held in Casablanca, Morocco, on 28–29 February, inaugurated by Dr Yves Souteyrand, WHO Representative for Morocco. The objectives of the meetings were toprovide information and technical documents about Zika virus infection and associated conditionspresent the draft regional plan for preparedness and response to Zika virus infection; andagree upon priority activities to be implemented by Member States and WHO to enhance preparedness and response capacities to Zika virus infection.