The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the coronavirus outbreak that began in China an international health emergency.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the decision after a meeting of the organization's emergency committee, amid evidence that the virus has spread to nearly two dozen countries.
Tedros told a news conference in Geneva that recent weeks have witnessed an unprecedented outbreak that has been met with an unprecedented response.
"Let me be clear, this statement is not a vote of no confidence in China.", he pointed. "Our biggest concern is the possibility of the virus spreading to countries with weaker health systems.".
The WHO panel is made up of 16 independent experts. Last week it decided not to declare an emergency twice while it sought more information from China and awaited evidence of confirmed human-to-human transmission of the virus in other countries, in order to meet its criteria for a global emergency.
The declaration of a global emergency generates recommendations for all countries aimed at preventing or reducing the cross-border spread of diseases, avoiding unnecessary interference with trade and travel.
Although the WHO does not have the legal authority to sanction countries, it could ask governments to provide scientific justification for any travel or trade restrictions they impose in the event of an international emergency.
Source: Reuters
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