The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared on Thursday
that the coronavirus epidemic in China now constitutes a public health emergency
of international concern.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced
the decision after a meeting of its Emergency Committee, an independent panel
of experts, amid mounting evidence of the virus spreading to some 18 countries.
Tedros told a news conference in Geneva that recent weeks have
witnessed an unprecedented outbreak which has been met by an unprecedented
response.
“Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no
confidence in China,” he said.
“Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to
spread to countries with weaker health systems,” he added.
The WHO panel, chaired by Didier Houssin of France, is
composed of 16 independent experts.
Twice last week the experts had decided not to declare an
emergency while they sought more information from China and awaited evidence of
confirmed person-to-person spread of the virus in other countries, so as to
meet their criteria for a global emergency.
The declaration of a global emergency triggers
recommendations to all countries aimed at preventing or reducing cross-border
spread of disease, while avoiding unnecessary interference with trade and
travel.
It covers temporary
recommendations for national health authorities worldwide, which include
stepping up their monitoring, preparedness and containment measures.
Although the WHO has no legal authority to sanction
countries, it could ask governments to provide scientific justification for any
travel or trade restrictions that they impose in the event of an international
emergency.
CULLED FROM REUTERS
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