Collaboration With the World Health Organization and its Regional Offices for Global Health Security and the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005)

On September 19, 2011, the Government of the United States of America and the World Health Organization (WHO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help WHO Member States strengthen their capabilities to support the International Health Regulations (IHR), an international agreement that requires Member States to prevent and respond to acute public health risks that have the potential to cross borders. The MOU includes specific statements that authorize WHO and its regional offices to pursue activities that improve the ability of all nations to detect, report, and respond to infectious diseases quickly and accurately. The purpose is to assist WHO in implementing the MOU regarding the International Health Regulations, including the development and implementation of coordinated plans and networks that enable national governments and regional authorities globally to better address infectious diseases, particularly emerging infections. Specific activities will focus on improving infectious disease surveillance and response; enhancing knowledge generation, innovation, and tools for improved management that build public health infrastructure and strengthen regional health leadership and collaboration; sharing knowledge, tools and other resources in support of applied epidemiology; and developing improved infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control strategies.