NATO CBRN Medical Working Group Table Top Exercise on International Health Regulations: Documentation and Output

Abstract : At the annual meeting of the NATO Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Medical Working Group (CBRNMedWG) in February 2013, IDA conducted a table top exercise to provide national representatives with a mechanism for understanding new international disease reporting requirements contained in the World Health Organization s (WHO) International Health Regulations of 2005 (IHR (2005)). The objectives were (1) to assess the need for NATO to develop guidance for its Joint Force Commanders on their responsibilities to report public health events of international concern; and (2) if such a need was determined, to provide the broad tenets of that guidance. A number of recommendations emerged from the exercise: (1) NATO should work with WHO to coordinate the development of guidance; (2) NATO should designate an IHR national focal point to serve as a conduit for reporting; (3) reporting within the normal chain of command must continue, to include notification of all nations involved; (4) NATO has specialized capabilities that may be called upon to assist WHO in its response to public health events, and NATO should consider revising the tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with these capabilities to provide for ongoing coordination with WHO.