The WHO has updated the International Health Regulations, adding 'pandemic emergency' as the highest alert level for health crises.

The World Health Organization has implemented new rules to improve global preparedness against pandemics, introducing 'pandemic emergency' as the highest alert level. These rules allow the WHO to declare an emergency in the event of a cross-border threat, reduced capacity of health systems, or major social and economic risks. Additionally, countries are encouraged to develop detection and rapid response capabilities to pathogenic agents, supported by a WHO committee. The WHO can only provide recommendations, without imposing mandatory measures.