The International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 identify four diseases that constitute a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)' by default. Which list is CORRECT?

• A Cholera, plague, yellow fever, and viral haemorrhagic fevers
• B Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, and MERS-CoV
• C Smallpox, poliomyelitis (wild type), SARS, and new subtype human influenza ✓
• D Diphtheria, meningococcal disease, rabies, and anthrax

Explanation

IHR 2005 Annex 2 specifies four diseases that automatically require immediate notification to WHO as potential PHEIC regardless of the decision algorithm: smallpox (eradicated, so any case is a PHEIC), wild-type poliomyelitis, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and human influenza caused by a new subtype. Other diseases (including Ebola, cholera, Marburg) require application of the decision instrument to determine if they constitute a PHEIC.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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