International Health Regulations

All  2009  2010  2011  2012

• Health planning for large public events
  09-05-2012
  With thousands of people from many countries attending the UEFA European Football Championship (EURO 2012) and the Summer Olympics, WHO and its partners have developed health advice for these visitors, and support national authorities preparing for mass gatherings. Read more …
• Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 30
  22-07-2011
  The number of new cases of Escherichia coli O104:H4 infection in Germany and France is much diminished. The figures reflect some delayed reporting, and the evidence indicates that the outbreak, which took 50 lives in Germany alone, is nearly over.
• Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 29
  07-07-2011
  On 5 July, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued the report from the Task Force established to coordinate investigations to track down the possible source of the French and German outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4. Details of the task force report and its conclusions can be found on the EFSA website.
• Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 28
  01-07-2011
  On 28 June 2011, the Institut de veille sanitaire, France, published new figures for the verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC)/haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) outbreak in the Bordeaux region in France, where in total 8 cases of bloody diarrhoea and 8 HUS cases have been reported since 22 June. E. coli O104:H4 infection has been confirmed in 4 of these cases. Also on 28 June, Sweden reported a confirmed case of E. coli O104:H4 infection in southern Sweden in an adult male. None of these patients in France or Sweden had travelled in Germany since 1 May 2011.
• Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: WHO/Europe gives public health advice
  01-07-2011
  Until the investigations into the outbreaks of E.coli O104:H4 infection have been completed, WHO advises consumers in the WHO European Region that bean sprouts or sprouted seeds – whether commercially or home grown – should only be eaten when they have been thoroughly cooked. E. coli bacteria are killed at a cooking temperature of 70 °C.
• Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 27
  30-06-2011
  On 28 June 2011, the Institut de veille sanitaire, France, published new figures for the continuing verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC)/haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) outbreak in Bordeaux, France. In total, 8 enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) cases and 8 HUS cases were reported since 22 June. E. coli O104:H4 has been confirmed in 4 cases.
• Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 26
  29-06-2011
  On 28 June 2011, the Institut de veille sanitaire published new figures for the verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC)/haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) outbreak in Bordeaux, France. On 28 June, Sweden reported a confirmed case of E. coli O104:H4 in southern Sweden in an adult male.
• Outbreaks: update 25: new VTEC cases in France and Sweden
  28-06-2011
  On 24 June 2011, France reported an outbreak of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC)/haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), with 8 cases in adults (6 women and 2 men). E. coli O104:H4 has been confirmed in 3 cases. On 28 June, Sweden reported a confirmed case of E. coli O104:H4 in southern Sweden in an adult male.
• EHEC outbreaks: update 24: France reports 8 cases in new outbreak
  27-06-2011
  Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in Germany has declined significantly. On 24 June, France reported an outbreak of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC)/HUS with 8 cases in adults (6 women and 2 men). E. coli O104:H4 has been confirmed in 3 cases.
• EHEC outbreak: update 23
  24-06-2011
  Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• EHEC outbreak: update 22
  23-06-2011
  Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• EHEC outbreak: update 21
  22-06-2011
  Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• EHEC outbreak: update 20
  21-06-2011
  Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• EHEC outbreak: update 19
  20-06-2011
  Over the last week, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• EHEC outbreak: update 18
  17-06-2011
  Over the last week, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• EHEC outbreak: update 17
  16-06-2011
  Over the last week, the number of reported HUS/EHEC cases has declined to a significantly lower level than previously. Investigations by the German authorities indicate that the vehicle of the bacterium responsible for the outbreak, enteroaggregative verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (EAggEC VTEC) O104:H4, is bean and seed sprouts, and the Robert Koch Institute has warned people in Germany not to eat raw bean and seed sprouts of any origin.
• EHEC outbreak: update 16
  15-06-2011
  On 10 June, German authorities stated that mounting epidemiological and food-chain evidence indicated that bean and seed sprouts (including fenugreek, mung beans, lentils, adzuki beans and alfalfa) are the vehicle of the outbreak in Germany.
• Turkey hosts participants from 20 countries attending WHO international training on International Health Regulations (IHR2005)
  15-06-2011
  On 7-10 June 2011, the Ministry of Health of Turkey hosted the international training workshop, "International Health Regulations Core Capacity Tabletop Exercise Development and Public Health Management."
• EHEC outbreak: update 15
  14-06-2011
    On 10 June, German authorities stated that mounting epidemiological and food-chain evidence indicated that bean and seed sprouts (including fenugreek, mung beans, lentils, adzuki beans and alfalfa) are the vehicle of the outbreak in Germany.
• Food safety remains a constant challenge, says WHO
  11-06-2011
  Food safety remains a constant challenge for all of us.  The enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) outbreak in Germany has reinforced the importance of speed, coordination, information-sharing and preparedness, WHO Regional Director for Europe, Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, said in a statement.
• EHEC outbreak: update 14
  11-06-2011
  On 10 June, German authorities stated that mounting epidemiological and food-chain evidence indicated that bean and seed sprouts (including fenugreek, mung beans, lentils, adzuki beans, and alfalfa) are the vehicle of the outbreak in Germany.
• EHEC outbreak: update 13
  10-06-2011
    On 10 June, German authorities stated that mounting epidemiological and food-chain evidence indicated that bean and seed sprouts (including fenugreek, mung beans, lentils, adzuki beans, and alfalfa) are the vehicle of the outbreak in Germany.
• EHEC outbreak: update 12
  09-06-2011
  The outbreak remains primarily centred in Germany, and investigations continue into both the nature of the unusual enteroaggregative verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (EAggEC VTEC) O104:H4 bacterium, which is causing the outbreak, and its source.
• EHEC outbreak: update 11
  08-06-2011
  The outbreak remains primarily centred in Germany, and investigations continue into the nature of the unusual Escherichia coli bacteria serotype and its source.
• EHEC outbreak: update 10
  07-06-2011
  The outbreak remains primarily centred in Germany, and investigations continue into the nature of the unusual Escherichia coli bacteria serotype and its source.
• Ukraine reports 14 cholera cases
  06-06-2011
  Ukraine has reported to WHO 14 laboratory confirmed cases of cholera between 30 May and 6 June 2011 from Mariupol on the Sea of Azov in Donetsk oblast. A local laboratory in Donetsk has confirmed Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1, biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa as the causative agent in all cases.
• EHEC outbreak: update 9
  06-06-2011
  The outbreak remains primarily centred in Germany, and investigations continue into the nature of the unusual Escherichia coli bacteria serotype and its source.
• EHEC outbreak: update 8
  05-06-2011
  In Germany the outbreak of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) infection continues.
• EHEC outbreak: update 7
  04-06-2011
  In Germany the outbreak of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) infection continues.
• EHEC outbreak: update 6 (04-06-11)
  04-06-2011
  These are the current figures for the outbreak. Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) have exclusive notification categories, so case numbers should not overlap. The figures in any rapidly evolving outbreak are provisional, however, and subject to change for a variety of reasons.
• EHEC outbreak: update 5 (03-06-11)
  03-06-2011
  As of 2 June 2011, 520 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) (11 fatal) and 1213 cases of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) (6 fatal) have been reported by Germany, taking the total in Germany to 1733 cases, including 17 fatal ones. This is an increase in Germany of 50 cases of HUS and 149 cases of EHEC between 31 May and 2 June 2011.
• EHEC outbreak: 12 countries reporting cases to WHO
  03-06-2011
  A total of 502 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and 1122 of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) have now been reported to WHO as of 2 June 2011. Cases have been notified from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
• EHEC outbreak: Rare strain of E. coli unknown in previous outbreaks
  02-06-2011
  The strain of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O104:H4 isolated from cases in the EHEC infection outbreak in Germany is a rare one, seen in humans before but never in an EHEC outbreak. This has been confirmed by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Escherichia and Klebsiella, the Statens Serum Institut in Denmark.
• EHEC outbreak: increased cases in Germany
  01-06-2011
  Cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) continue to rise in Germany. 10 countries have now reported cases to WHO/Europe.
• EHEC outbreak: 9 European countries report cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli infections
  31-05-2011
  Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and/or bloody diarrhoea.
• Germany investigates outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome
  27-05-2011
  An outbreak of severe illness is causing concern in Germany, where 3 women have died and 276 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) have been reported since the second week of May. HUS, which can lead to kidney failure, is a complication of an infection by particular Escherichia coli bacteria. While most E. coli bacteria are harmless, a group called enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) can produce toxins, known as Shiga toxins or verotoxins, which damage blood cells and the kidneys.
• Day 2 of World Health Assembly: International Health Regulations and WHO reform in focus
  18-05-2011
  Countries agreed that the International Health Regulations have been valuable and effective so far, and many pledged strong support for the Director-General’s proposal to reform WHO, at the World Health Assembly yesterday.
• Workshop on implementation of the International Health Regulations in central Asian republics and Kazakhstan
  28-04-2011
  On 12-16 April 2011 a workshop on the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) in central Asian republics and Kazakhstan was conducted in Tashkent by WHO/Europe with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Laboratory quality management system regional training, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 28–31 March 2011
  07-04-2011
  2012 is the proposed date for the new International Health Regulation (IHR) implementation which is now required to ensure that Member States will have a fully functional and quality controlled surveillance network.