The World Health Organization declared on Thursday that the coronavirusepidemic in China now constitutes a public health emergency of internationalconcern.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, announced the decisionafter a meeting of its Emergency Committee, an independent panel of experts,amid mounting evidence of the virus spreading to some 18 countries.
Tedros told a news conference in Geneva that recent weeks have witnessedan unprecedented outbreak which has been met by an unprecedented response.
"Let me be clear, thisdeclaration is not a vote of no confidence in China," he said.
"Our greatest concern is thepotential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems," headded.
The WHO panel, chaired by Didier Houssin of France, is composed of 16independent experts.
Twice last week the experts had decided not to declare an emergencywhile they sought more information from China and awaited evidence of confirmedperson-to-person spread of the virus in other countries.
The declaration of a global emergency triggers recommendations to allcountries aimed at preventing or reducing cross-border spread of disease, whileavoiding unnecessary interference with trade and travel.
It covers temporary recommendations for national health authoritiesworldwide, which include stepping up their monitoring, preparedness andcontainment measures.
Although the WHO has no legal authority to sanction countries, it couldask governments to provide scientific justification for any travel or traderestrictions that they impose in the event of an international emergency.
Tedros praised China's prompt actions to limit the spread of theoutbreak, and reiterated that the WHO is opposed to any trade or travelrestrictions.
Jeremy Farrar, an infectious disease expert and director of the WellcomeTrust global health charity, said the WHO's decision was "absolutely right".
The declaration would "undoubtedly sharpen governments' focus" he said."But we must also step-up as an international community to make sure no one isleft behind – with all interventions, including public health measures,diagnostics, treatments and vaccines available to everyone," added.
