OBJECTIVE To evaluate Brazil's public health surveillance system (HSS), identifying its core capacities, shortcomings, and limitations in dealing with public health emergencies, within the context of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). METHODS In 2008-2009 an evaluative cross-sectional study was conducted using semistructured questionnaires administered to key informants (municip...

The International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, as the overarching instrument for global health security, are designed to prevent and cope with major international public health threats. But poor implementation in countries hampers their effectiveness. In the wake of a number of major international health crises, such as the 2014 Ebola and 2016 Zika outbreaks, and the findings of a number of h...

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The causative agent of this disease was originally described by Filippo Pacini in 1854, and afterwards further analyzed by Robert Koch in 1884. It is estimated that each year there are 1.3 million to 4 million cases of cholera, and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths worldwide ...

Introduction Implementation of the IDSR framework for fulfillment of the International Health Regulations (2005) ([IHR 2005]) has been challenging in Swaziland due to distribution of IDSR functions across units within the Strategic Information Department (SID) and other external departments within the Ministry of Health. We conducted a qualitative assessment and a Strength, Weaknesses, Opportun...

Introduction In the Kingdom of Swaziland, a baseline assessment found that multiple functional units within the Ministry of Health (MoH) perform PHS activities. There is limited data sharing and coordination between units; roles and responsibilities are unclear. The Epidemiology and Disease Control Unit (EDCU) is mandated to coordinate efforts and strengthen PHS through implementing Integrated ...

BACKGROUND As designated points of entry (PoEs) play a critical role in preventing the transmission of international public health risks, huge efforts have been invested in Taiwan to improve the core capacities specified in the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR 2005). This article reviews how Taiwan strengthened the core capacities at the Taoyuan International Airport (TIA) and the Por...

Abstract Under the International Health Regulations (IHR), States must consider decision-making criteria in applying travel restrictions during a public health emergency of international concern. Interpretation on legal parameters such varies widely. This article considers whether and how permissibility under IHR may have changed given recent developments, including evolving scientific evidence...

Global nuclear proliferation, bioterrorism, and emerging infections have challenged national capacities to achieve and maintain global security. Over the last century, emerging infectious disease threats resulted in the development of the preliminary versions of the International Health Regulations (IHR) of the World Health Organization (WHO). The current HR(2005) contain major differences comp...

In May 2005 the World Health Assembly approved an innovative and ambitious revision of the International Health Regulations, known as IHR(2005), in order to detect and control, in a timely manner, all public health events that may have a serious international impact. It represents a dramatic move from administrative notification by Member States (MS) to the World Health Organization (WHO) of ca...