The Regional Committee,
Having considered the document presented by the Regional Director on epidemiological surveillance and health services international ports in the Western Pacific Regional;*
Noting the increased risk of transfer of disease between countries as a result of the remarkable growth in international travel, tourism and trade, facilitated by the development of rapid means of transport;
Noting the various categories of infection that may be spread from one country to another as a result of the more rapid means international travel;
Noting also that, in view of changing disease patterns and emergence of new diseases, the existing quarantine procedures contained in the International Health Regulations are no longer completely relevant;
- URGES Member States:
- (1) to strengthen their epidemiological services surveillance systems, particularly at international ports entry;
- (2) to involve national agencies dealing with tourism, trade and travel in efforts to prevent the spread of disease through international travel and trade;
- (3) to cooperate with each other by exchanging information matters relating to epidemiological surveillance and the spread of disease through international travel and trade;
- REQUESTS the Regional Director:
- (1) to support Member States in strengthening their epidemiological services and surveillance systems, especially in relation to possible disease outbreaks resulting from international travel;
- (2) to provide technical cooperation to Member States in the training of health workers in relation to epidemiological surveillance and health services at international ports of entry;
- (3) to take steps to ensure the collection and rapid dissemination to Member States of the necessary epidemiological information on disease outbreaks related to international travel;
- (4) to promote studies on vector control measures in relation to the spread of communicable diseases;
- (5) to advise the Director-General that, in the opinion of the Regional Committee, it is timely for a review to be undertaken of the International Health Regulations, particularly in relation to the regulations pertaining to notification of cholera;
- ENDORSES the proposal of the Regional Director to hold an intercountry workshop on epidemiological surveillance and health services at international ports in 1983.