Why in news?
At the Seventy‑seventh World Health Assembly in May 2024 member states adopted amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) creating a formal definition of “pandemic emergency.” In 2025 countries began updating their preparedness plans based on this definition, making it relevant for examinations.
What is a pandemic emergency?
The amended IHR define a pandemic emergency as a public health emergency of international concern caused by a communicable disease that meets four criteria:
- Wide geographical spread: The disease has, or is at high risk of having, widespread transmission to and within multiple countries.
- Health‑system strain: It is exceeding, or is at high risk of exceeding, the capacity of health systems to respond in those countries.
- Socio‑economic disruption: It is causing, or is at high risk of causing, substantial social and economic disruption including impact on trade and travel.
- Need for coordinated action: Effective response requires rapid, equitable and enhanced international cooperation with whole‑of‑government and whole‑of‑society approaches.
Implications
Determination of a pandemic emergency allows the WHO Director‑General to issue temporary recommendations to states on travel, surveillance and control measures. While non‑binding, these recommendations guide global coordination. The amendments also establish national focal points and financing mechanisms for pandemic preparedness. The new definition helps differentiate between localised outbreaks, public health emergencies and full‑blown pandemics, promoting graded responses.