Under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, which of the following is NOT a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declared by WHO?
- A Ebola outbreak in West Africa, 2014
- B SARS epidemic, 2003 ✓
- C COVID-19 pandemic, 2020
- D H1N1 influenza pandemic, 2009
Correct answer: B. SARS epidemic, 2003
Explanation
IHR 2005 came into force in June 2007, so the 2003 SARS epidemic pre-dates this framework and was therefore NOT declared a PHEIC under IHR 2005 (SARS was managed under IHR 1969). PHEICs declared under IHR 2005 include: H1N1 (2009), Polio (2014), Ebola West Africa (2014–2016), Zika (2016), Ebola DRC (2019), COVID-19 (2020), Monkeypox/Mpox (2022, 2024). This is a nuanced exam question testing knowledge of the IHR 2005 timeline and PHEIC declarations.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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