The disease outbreak which is potential public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) should have at least 2 of the following criteria.
1. Serious public health impact of the event
2. Unexpected or unusual event
3. Significant risk of international spread
4. Significant risk of international travel or trade restrictions
After such disease outbreak meets this criteria, the outbreak must be reported to WHO and WHO will make the final decision.
Following is list of disease outbreaks with public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and the reasons why it is PHEIC.
– Monkeypox. There was unexpected case in some countries, for example, Thailand. In addition, there is a risk of international spread by trevellers.
– Covid-19 infection. The Covid-19 infection is a serious and severe disease that leads to morbidity and mortality. It is a pandemic disease throughout the world. Also, it is high risk of international spread and travel restriction.
– Kivu Ebola. It is a severe disease that leads to morbidity and mortality. Although, there was outbreak in some areas, it has a significant risk of international spread by refugee.
– Zika virus. The virus causes microcephaly of fetus in pregnant women. And it has a significant risk of international spread and travel restriction.
– Ebola. This is a serious and severe disease that causes mortality. Moreover, it is a highly infectious disease that has significant risk of international spread.
– Polio. The polio causes serious neurological sequalae, for example, paralysis. And there were unexpected cases reported in some areas.
– Swine flu. There was unusual incidence of swine flu infection in 2009. In addition, the outbreak was rapidly spread in the US and, later, worldwide.
In the future, there will be an outbreak announced as PHEIC by WHO. The truth is the genome of infectious organism is continuously mutated, and emerges as new infectious pathogens. Moreover, people have to travel internationally for their business and recreation which keep the disease potential for international spread.
Thank you.