International Health Regulations and emergency authority
- The IHR balance cross-border health protection with proportionate interference in traffic
- States notify WHO of potentially qualifying events through National IHR Focal Points
- A PHEIC concerns international spread requiring a potentially coordinated response
- The WHO Director-General determines a PHEIC using consultation, evidence and risk assessment
- The IHR Emergency Committee advises the Director-General through selected experts
- The amended IHR define pandemic emergency as a heightened category within PHEIC
- IHR temporary recommendations are non-binding and expire unless extended
- IHR standing recommendations address ongoing risks through routine or periodic measures
- WHO emergency authority does not confer power to impose domestic lockdowns
- IHR amendment applicability depends on each state’s acceptance and rejection history