Public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)

An extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other

States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a

coordinated international response

Some serious public health events that endanger international public health may be

determined under the International Health Regulations to be public health emergencies

of international concern (PHEIC). The term Public Health Emergency of International

Concern is defined in the IHR (2005) as “an extraordinary event which is determined,

as provided in these Regulations:

• to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of

disease; and

• to potentially require a coordinated international response”. This definition implies a

situation that: is serious, unusual or unexpected; carries implications for public

health beyond the affected State’s national border; and may require immediate

international action.

The responsibility of determining whether an event is within this category lies with the

WHO Director-General and requires the convening of a committee of experts – the IHR

Emergency Committee. This committee advises the Director General on the

recommended measures to be promulgated on an emergency basis, known as

temporary recommendations. Temporary recommendations include health measures

to be implemented by the State Party experiencing the PHEIC, or by other States

Parties, to prevent or reduce the international spread of disease and avoid

unnecessary interference with international traffic.

The Emergency Committee also gives advice on the determination of the event as a

PHEIC in circumstances where there is inconsistency in the assessment of the event

between the Director-General and the affected country/countries. The Emergency

Committee continues to provide advice to the Director-General throughout the duration

of the PHEIC, including any necessary changes to the recommended measures and

on the determination of PHEIC termination. WHO maintains an IHR roster of experts

and the members of an IHR Emergency Committee are selected from this roster and/or

WHO expert advisory panels and committees. At least one member of the Emergency

Committee should be an expert nominated by a State Party within whose territory the

event arises (1)

(1) IHR Procedures concerning public health emergencies of international concern

(PHEIC)