Definitions
of Terms;
1. Affected persons, baggage, cargo, containers,
conveyances, goods, postal parcels, or human remains means infected or
contaminated or carry sources of infection or contamination so as to constitute
a public health risk.
2. Affected area
– graphical location specifically for which health measures have been
recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) under International Health
Regulations (IHRs).
3. Contamination
– presence of an infectious or toxic agent or matter on a human or animal body
surface, in or on products prepared for consumption or on other inanimate
objects including conveyances that may constitute public risk.
4. Conveyance –
aircraft, ship, train, road vehicles or other means of transport on an
international voyage.
5. Decontamination
– procedure whereby health measures are taken to eliminate an infectious or
toxic agent, or on a product prepared for consumption or other inanimate
objects, including conveyances that may constitute a public health risk.
6. Deratting –
procedure whereby health measures are taken to control or kill rodent vectors
of human disease present in baggage, cargo, containers conveyances, facilities,
goods and postal parcels at the point of entry.
7. Disinfection –
procedure whereby health measures are taken to control or kill infectious
agents on a human or animal body surface or in or on baggage, cargo,
containers, conveyances, goods and postal parcels by direct exposure to
chemical or physical agent.
8. Disinsection –
Procedure whereby health measures are to control or kill Insect vectors of
human diseases present in baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods, and
postal parcels.
9. Free pratique
– permission for a ship to enter a port, embark or disembark, discharge or load
cargo, or stores and permission for a ground transport vehicle, upon arrival to
embark or disembark, discharge or load cargo or stores.
10. Isolation
– separation of ill or contaminated persons or affected baggage,
containers, conveyances, goods, or
postal parcels from others in such a manner as to prevent the spread of
infection or contamination.
11. National International Health
Regulations (IHRs) Focal Point – national Centre,
designated by each State Party which shall be accessible at all times for
communications with World Health Organization (WHO) International Health
Regulations (IHRs) Contact Points under these Regulations.
12. Point of entry
– passage for international entry or exit of travelers, baggage, cargo,
containers, conveyances, goods and postal parcels as well as agencies and areas
for providing services to them on entry or exit.
13. Port –
seaport or port on an inland body of water where ships on an international
voyage arrive or depart.
14. Ground crossing
– point of land entry in a State Party, including one utilized by road vehicles
and train.
15. Public Health Emergency of
International Concern – an extraordinary event which
constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international
spread of diseases and to potentially require coordinated international
response.
16. Quarantine
– restriction of activities and or separation from others of suspect persons
who are not ill or of suspect baggage, containers, conveyances or goods in such
a manner as to prevent the possible spread of infection or contamination.
17. Surveillance –
systematic on going collection, collation and analysis of data for public
health purposes and timely dissemination of public health information for
assessment and public health response as necessary.
18. Suspect
– persons, baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods or postal parcels
which have been exposed to a public health risk and that could be a possible
source of disease spread.
19. Event
– manifestation of disease or occurrence that creates a potential for disease.
Principles
for implementing International Health Regulations, 2005 (Articles 3);
a) Full
respect for dignity, human rights and fundamental freedom of persons.
b) To
be guided by charter of the United Nations and the constitution of W0rld Health
Organization.
c) To
be guided by the goal of their universal application for the protection of all
people of the world from the international spread of diseases,
d) States
Parties have the right to legislate and to implement legislation in pursuance
of their health policies and purpose of the Regulations.
Responsible
Authorities under International Health Regulations;[article 4]
a) National
IHRs Focal Points and other Authorities should be established by the States
Parties for implementation of health measures.
b) National
IHRs Focal Points should be accessible at all times for communication with
World Health Organization IHRs Contact Points.
Functions
of National IHRs Focal Points;
·
Sending to World Health Organization IHRs
Contact Points urgent communications for implementation of the Regulations.
·
Disseminating information and
consolidating inputs from Sectors of Administration of States Parties e. g.
Surveillance and reporting agents, Points of entry, Public Services, Clinics
and Hospitals and other Government departments.
c) World
Health Organization IHRs Contact Points are established by World Health
Organization at Headquarters or at the Regional level of the Organization. WHO
IHRs Contact Points should be accessible at all times for communications to
National IHRs Focal Points. WHO IHRs Contact Points should send urgent
communications to National IHRs Focal Points of States Parties.
d) States
Parties shall provide contact details of their National IHRs Focal Points and
World Health Organization shall provide States Parties with details of WHO IHRs
Contact Points.
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