Nations Focus on Health Risks Posed by Globalization

As part of its new focus on cooperation between countries when it comes to health threats, WHO has revised its international regulations so nations can identify health problems as early as possible and seek the help they need from governments, other countries and the private sector. The regulations will become effective June 15, Simpson said.

"These regulations aren't about assigning blame but are in place to help any country that faces a disease. It is very important to have international support," Simpson said.

Scott Dowell is head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's global disease detection protection program. He said the new regulations will update what was a relatively informal system of reporting potentially serious outbreaks. They will also obligate countries to recognize their vulnerability to disease and respond quickly when threatened.

He pointed to West Nile Virus, which was thought of as "one of those exotic diseases" (it's commonly found in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East) that wouldn't affect the United States -- until it was first reported in the New York City area in 1999.

"But it is a real public health issue," he said, noting it has since spread to all of the 48 contiguous states.

There has been a lot of progress in the United States about addressing international health threats, Dowell said, with money coming from Congress and increasing focus on the importance of preparation.

"I'm definitely upbeat about international health security, but I wouldn't underestimate the challenges," he said. "The real test will come if there's a pandemic."

More information

To learn more, visit the World Health Organization.

SOURCES: Iain Simpson, spokesman, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Scott Dowell, M.D., M.P.H., chief, Global Disease Protection Program, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta; World Health Day 2007, International Health Security Issues Paper, WHO