The new International Health Regulations: a revolutionary change in global health security.

The International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR 2005) came into force in June 2007. These revised Regulations contain many important changes compared with the previous agreement that they replaced (IHR 1969). This revision was driven by concerns about increasing global health threats and the need to respond with more effective surveillance and control practices. The IHR 2005 agreement: greatly expands the range of events which states must notify to the World Health Organization (WHO) and to which the Regulations apply; introduces a new class of event, the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) which is defined based on modern risk assessment principles; recognises a wide range of surveillance sources that WHO may use; requires states to establish National IHR Focal Points which are responsible for communication with WHO and for the collation and dissemination of information within each state; introduces processes for WHO to investigate, assess, and declare PHEIC; introduces mechanisms for WHO to formally recommend health measures; requires WHO to seek external advice regarding operation of the IHR; obliges states to develop core capacities for surveillance, response, and points of entry; applies human rights principles; updates provisions for borders, travellers, and conveyances; and specifies situations where international collaboration should occur. With collective national and international effort to implement these new Regulations, the IHR 2005 will support greater global health security for all.