The IHR, which came into force on June 15, 2007, state that countries should notify the WHO of certain outbreaks of disease and certain public health incidents. Drawing on the unique experience of the WHO in matters of surveillance, alert and response, the IHR define countries’ rights and obligations concerning the notification of public health events, and lay out various procedures to be followed by the WHO in the defense of global health security.

Countries are also expected to strengthen their existing public health surveillance and response capabilities. The WHO is working in close association with countries and with its own partners in order to provide recommendations and technical support for mobilizing the resources required to apply the IHR.