Brasilia, June 22, 2008 - 11:30 AM
Countries discuss developments in travelers’ health safety

The International Health Regulation (IHR-2005) implementation will be the subject of the meeting taking place on 23-27 June 2008 at the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) Conference Room, in Brasília-DF, Brazil. The regulation aims to ensure the application of adequate measures of protection and strengthening of the world response to the international spread of disease and its agents, in addition to enhancing the ability to provide prompt answers to the problems threatening the population’s health throughout the planet.

During the meeting, PAHO and the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) will discuss the ongoing implementation of the international health regulation at the country’s entry points, and the improvement of instruments for the IHR implementation in Ports, Airports and Borders. Through Anvisa, Brazil is working to become a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating center in the implementation of the new regulation.

The meeting will have two distinct stages. On 23-25 June, the countries in the Americas will assess the applicability of the instrument to evaluate the Core Capacities at entry points, and will discuss communication mechanisms among the countries for the exchange of experiences.

On 26-27 June, the countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia will discuss the elaboration of Directives for the Implementation of IHR-2005 in ground crossings. Then, participants of other countries will be able to undertake a technical visit to Brazilian airports, according to visitors’ entry points in Brazil.

Information: Anvisa Press Office