How will WHO gather public health information and obtain verification thereof?
The IHR (2005) aim to enhance communications between WHO and the States. The establishment of a National IHR Focal Point will give WHO direct access to officials within the State with the decision-making power to alert and notify WHO of events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern. Under the IHR (2005), States will be required to notify the WHO IHR Contact Point, at the headquarters or regional level of the occurrence of such an event within their territory. WHO will also be in a position to seek verification from States concerning reports received from sources other than the States themselves. The State, through the National IHR Focal Point is required to cooperate in the verification process. The new notification requirements, together with WHO’s requirement to seek verification of unofficial reports of events with potential international implications, the confidentiality in the treatment of the information received, and the availability of prompt ass
