Washington, D.C., April 18, 2025 — In December 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) completed a new round of communication tests with the National IHR Focal Points (NFPs) for the International Health Regulations (IHR) in the Region of the Americas.
These tests have been conducted annually for 18 consecutive years, since the IHR (2005) entered into force in June 2007, with the goal of strengthening communication mechanisms essential to managing public health events of international concern.
In its role as the WHO IHR Regional Contact Point for the Americas, PAHO coordinates these communication exercises with NFPs each year to verify the effectiveness of established official communication channels.
During the most recent test, conducted in December 2024, 32 of the 35 Member States successfully completed the communication test via both email and telephone. All participating countries were reachable through at least one of the two communication channels.
Regarding email communication, 34 Member States responded within 36 hours of receiving the message; 91% (32 out of 35) responded within 24 hours, and 69% (24 out of 35) within the first hour.
The individual results of the communication tests—covering email, telephone, and, until 2019, also fax—were shared with each Member State and their corresponding PAHO Country Office. This feedback aims to support the implementation of corrective measures and ensure the continuity of the communication channels required under the IHR (2005).
From 2007 to 2011, the tests were conducted annually; since 2012, they have been carried out twice a year. Fax communication tests were discontinued after 2019.
The overall results of these tests, along with the Annual Confirmation of IHR NFP contact information, are presented to PAHO’s Executive Committee as part of the report on IHR implementation. The most recent report is available online at:
👉 CE174/INF/3 – International Health Regulation Implementation
