IHR: Points of Entry
While international transport, travel and trade contribute to economic development and the welfare of populations, they may also pose public health risks. Today’s high level of traffic at points of entry can play a key role in the international spread of diseases through persons, conveyances and goods.
Points of entry provisions in the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) outline obligations and recommendations enabling countries to prevent, prepare for and respond to public health risks at the three categories of international airports, ports and ground crossings.
Under the IHR, States Parties are requested to maintain effective public health measures and response capacity at designated points of entry. WHO helps assess travel recommendations; it provides guidance to countries and coordinates simulation exercises, external evaluations and After Action reviews.
This work is critical to global circulation of people, goods and services: worldwide airport passenger numbers reached 6.3 billion in 2013, while 50 000 commercial vessels transport every kind of cargo, and ground crossings can see the passage of as many as 50 000 people a day.
Points of entry in general
Public health at ports, airports and ground crossings
Ports, Airports and Ground Crossings Network (PAGNet)
IHR Brief No. 3: Points of entry under the IHR (2005)
Assessment tool for core capacity requirements at designated airports, ports and ground crossings
Tutorials on the use of Annex 2 of the International Health Regulations (2005)
Ports, airports and ground crossings: Guidance advice and tools
Electronic State Parties Self-Assessment Annual Reporting Tool (e-SPAR)
Airports
Ports, Airports and Ground Crossings Network (PAGNet)
EU Coordinated Action in the Aviation Sector to control Public Health Threats (AIRSAN)
Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and management of public health events
Ports
Ports, Airports and Ground Crossings Network (PAGNet)
Handbook for inspection of ships and issuance of ship sanitation certificates (2014)
List of ports authorized to issue ship sanitation certificates under IHR (2005)
Guide to ship sanitation. Third edition
Ground crossings
Ports, Airports and Ground Crossings Network (PAGNet)
Handbook for inspection of ships and issuance of ship sanitation certificates (2014)
