Collaboration with the World Health Organization and its Regional Offices for Global Health Security and International Health Regulations

Building Capacity and Networks to Address Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Americas.

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.