International Health Regulations, Ebola, and Emerging Infectious Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean

Am J Public Health. 2016 Feb;106(2):279-82. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302969. Epub 2015 Dec 21.

Abstract

The World Health Organization's determination of the Ebola virus disease outbreak as a public health event of international concern prompted nonaffected countries to implement measures to prevent, detect, and manage the introduction of the virus in their territories. The outbreak provided an opportunity to assess the operational implementation of the International Health Regulations' core capacities and health systems' preparedness to handle a potential or confirmed case of Ebola virus disease. A public health framework implemented in Latin America and Caribbean countries encompassing preparatory self-assessments, in-country visits, and follow-up suggests that the region should increase efforts to consolidate and sustain progress on core capacities and health system preparedness to face public health events with national or international repercussions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Caribbean Region
  • Communicable Disease Control / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Communicable Disease Control / standards
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / prevention & control*
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control*
  • Global Health*
  • Health Policy / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Latin America
  • World Health Organization