Coronavirus that has infected 9,800 declared global health emergency by WHO

The Emergency Committee of UN health agency at the World Health Organisation reconvened in Geneva 30th January, to declare the Novel coronavirus outbreak in China — called 2019-nCov — a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The novel coronavirus outbreak that originated from Wuhan in China has triggered panic around the world, with cases being reported from across 21 countries. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called it an 'unprecedented outbreak'

What Qualifies as a Public Health Emergency

The WHO defines Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (IHR) as “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response”. This definition suggests a situation that is:serious, sudden, unusual or unexpected;carries implications for public health beyond the affected State’s national border; and may require immediate international action.

The responsibility of determining whether an event is within this category lies with the WHO Director-General and requires the convening of a committee of experts – the IHR Emergency Committee. It is a rarely used declaration.

The WHO had last declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a PHEIC. This was the fifth time that the agency had declared such an emergency. The previous four include the H1 virus that caused an influenza pandemic (2009), polio (2014), West Africa's Ebola outbreak (2014-2016) and Zika virus (2016).

Declaring the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency would mean a boost in public health measures, funding, and possible restrictions on trade and travel. Airport screening of passengers has already begun in many of the affected and unaffected regions.

The Role of the Emergency Committee

This committee advises the Director General on the recommended measures to be promulgated on an emergency basis, known as temporary recommendations.

Temporary recommendations include health measures to be implemented by the State Party experiencing the PHEIC, or by other States Parties, to prevent or reduce the international spread of disease and avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic.

The Emergency Committee continues to provide advice to the Director-General throughout the duration of the PHEIC, including any necessary changes to the recommended measures and on the determination of PHEIC termination.

WHO maintains an IHR roster of experts and the members of an IHR Emergency Committee are selected from this roster and/or WHO expert advisory panels and committees.

At least one member of the Emergency Committee should be an expert nominated by a State Party within whose territory the event arises.