Notifying emerging infectious diseases to the World Health Organization: Are the International Health Regulations fit for purpose?

摘要

Background: Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are a global threat. The International Health Regulations (IHR) annex 2 decision instrument is an algorithm designed to assist national surveillance systems to decide which events to notify to the World Health Organization (WHO). The decision is based on four criteria: seriousness, unusualness, international spread and trade or travel restrictions. The study aimed to assess the validity of the IHR Annex 2 decision instrument in detecting EID events of international public health importance.