(Fighting against new pneumonia) WHO announces that the epidemic continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern

  China News Agency, Brussels, May 1 (Geneva): After the announcement on January 30 of this year that the new coronary pneumonia epidemic constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, WHO Director-General Tan Desai announced on May 1 that the new coronary pneumonia epidemic Continue to constitute public health emergencies of international concern.

  Tan Desai told the regular press conference held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva that on April 30 local time, the WHO New Coronary Virus Emergency Committee convened a meeting to determine the epidemic, and finally the members agreed to continue to constitute Public health emergencies of international concern.

  Later on the 1st, WHO issued an announcement on the meeting, stating that due to confidentiality requirements, it was not possible to publish the details of the discussion of the members of the meeting, but in view of the current situation, the number of members of the meeting and the professional fields represented increased.

  The announcement showed that the Emergency Committee made recommendations to WHO and member countries. For WHO, the Committee supports WHO to continue to lead and coordinate the international community's response to the outbreak, continue to provide technical, logistical and material support to countries and regions with weak health systems, continue to coordinate a global network of experts, and promote vaccine and drug research and development.

  At the same time, WHO should cooperate with the World Animal Health Organization, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and relevant countries to determine the source, transmission path and potential of the new coronavirus zoonotic disease (infected by animals to humans) through scientific research and collective field visits. The existence of an intermediate host reduces the risk of similar events in the future.

  For WHO member countries, the announcement calls for continued support of WHO ’s leadership and cooperation with WHO and other countries at all levels to effectively respond to the current new coronary pneumonia pandemic, while strengthening prevention and control efforts, improving detection, isolation, The ability to track and respond quickly to curb the spread of the epidemic.

  The announcement urges member countries to consider the asymptomatic infection of new coronary pneumonia, and to use digital means to investigate and contact case contacts if necessary, and to refrain from implementing trade restrictions that impede public health according to relevant international regulations.

  Tan Desai said at the press conference that the Emergency Committee is composed of authoritative experts in all relevant fields and covers all regions of the world. He thanked the Emergency Committee for its support and trust to WHO. WHO will follow the Committee ’s It is recommended to promote the traceability of new coronavirus animals.

  Tan Desai called on WHO member states to listen carefully to the recommendations of the Emergency Committee and encourage member states to comply with these recommendations. At the same time, WHO will continue to evaluate and update prevention and control recommendations as the epidemic develops.

  He also said that according to the WHO's "International Health Regulations", he will once again request the New Coronavirus Emergency Committee to convene a meeting within 90 days, or request the committee to call a meeting in advance as needed. (Finish)