International Health Organization Reinforces Pandemic Measures - No Earth-wide Quarantine Requisitions
The German government has introduced a bill to anchor the updated International Health Regulations (IHR) in national law, aiming to prevent and combat the cross-border spread of diseases. This move comes as over 190 World Health Organization (WHO) members negotiate a pandemic treaty to improve pandemic preparedness.
The updated IHR emphasize the importance of each country creating capacities to detect, monitor, and immediately combat disease pathogens. These capacities should be handled by a national authority in each country, with support from a WHO committee. In Germany, this responsibility falls under the Federal Ministry of Health, which has submitted a draft law to the Bundestag and Bundesrat to establish Germany's international legal commitment to the updated IHR.
Under the proposed bill, Germany must set up national IHR authorities responsible for early detection and response to infectious threats. Details such as potential costs for lab tests at airports and ports are regulated accordingly. The WHO does not have the authority to enforce these protective measures, but countries can choose to implement WHO recommendations or not.
The WHO can now declare a 'public health emergency of international concern' as the highest alert level, signalling the need for urgent action. Countries can take protective measures when this alert is issued. It's worth noting that laboratories and clinics in all countries, including Germany, are crucial for handling new infections and dealing with misinformation about diseases or protective measures.
Minister Nina Warken (CDU) emphasized the importance of international cooperation for preventing or containing global crises. The pandemic treaty aims to ensure fair distribution of aid materials and vaccines worldwide in a crisis, which could help alleviate the burden on countries with less extensive health systems.
The updated WHO contingency plans also aim to better prepare for potential new pandemics. However, it's important to note that the WHO does not have the authority to enforce protective measures such as lockdowns and vaccine mandates. Each country is responsible for implementing these capacities according to its own means.
The negotiation of the pandemic treaty is ongoing, and the bill in Germany is currently being discussed in the Bundestag and Bundesrat. If passed, it will strengthen Germany's commitment to global health security and its capacity to respond effectively to future health crises.
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