Australian Disease Body Calls for Global Pandemic Rules Enforced by the WHO

The AIID supported Australia’s full participation in the process of developing and reforming the global pandemic rules.

A sign of the World Health Organisation (WHO) at their headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on Dec. 7, 2021. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

A major Australian research institute has called for the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be granted more power to enforce global pandemic rules to prevent future emerging diseases.

In a submission (pdf) to the Australian government as part of a consultation process, the Australian Institute for Infectious Disease (AIID) said the International Health Regulations (IHR) needed to be reformed to facilitate early detection and response to future pandemics and avoid the mistakes made during the COVID-19 outbreak.