World Health Organization tightens pandemic regulations
The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its contingency rules to better prepare for possible new pandemics, and Germany is taking action to implement these updates. The updated International Health Regulations (IHR) came into effect on Friday, 19 September.
The updated rules aim to help prevent and combat the cross-border spread of diseases more effectively. Each country must create capacities to detect, monitor, and immediately combat disease pathogens early. These capacities should be entrusted to a national authority in each country, with a WHO committee supporting countries in setting it up.
Germany's sovereignty remains unaffected under the updated IHR. The German federal government, specifically the Federal Ministry of Health, has committed to implementing the updated IHR into national law. A draft law was initiated by the federal cabinet in summer 2025 and is being processed through the Bundestag and Bundesrat to ensure Germany's legal compliance with the June 2024 amendments to the IHR.
Global health crisis preparedness remains inadequate worldwide, with the possibility of new, even more devastating pandemics high. To address this, a pandemic treaty is being negotiated by more than 190 WHO member states, aiming to improve pandemic preparedness. The treaty aims to ensure fair global distribution of aid and vaccines in crisis situations.
Under the updated IHR, the WHO can declare a "pandemic emergency" as the highest level of alert. However, the WHO Director-General can only issue recommendations for measures in crises, not order lockdowns, mandatory vaccinations, or border closures. These measures are always imposed by national governments. Countries can choose to implement WHO recommendations or not.
The required capacities also include the ability to deal with misinformation about diseases or protective measures. Airports and harbors may incur costs for laboratory tests of samples if there are no existing agreements.
Nina Warken, the German Minister, emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in preventing or containing global crises. She underscores the need for a unified global response to mitigate the impact of future pandemics.
The updated rules are part of a broader effort by the WHO to strengthen global health security and prepare for possible new pandemics. As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the need for effective and coordinated global responses to health crises is more critical than ever.
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