world health report 2007 global public health security in the 21st century Environmental disasters Europe, 2003: the heatwave in Europe that claimed the lives of 35 000 persons was linked to unprecedented extremes in weather in other parts of the world during I Central Africa, 1986: more than 1700 people died of carbon dioxide poisoning following a massive release of gas from Lake Nyos, a volcanic crater lake. Such event requires rapid assessment to determine if it is an international threat. This Overview summarizes some of the above examples, which, together with the les- sons drawn from them, are more widely discussed in the report. The report emphasizes that the international response required today is not only to the known, but also to the unknown-the diseases that may arise from acute environmental or climatic changes and from industrial pollution and accidents that may put millions of people at risk in several countries GLOBAL COLLABORATION TO MEET THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH SECURITY These threats require urgent action, and wHO and its partners have much to offer immediately as well as in the longer term. This is an area where real progress to protect whole populations can be made, starting now. It is also where recent history shows that some of the most serious threats to human existence are likely to emerge without warning. It would be extremely naive and complacent to assume that there will not be another disease like aids. another ebola or another sars or later A more secure world that is ready and prepared to respond collectively in the face of threats to global health security requires global partnerships that bring together all countries and stakeholders in all relevant sectors, gather the best technical sup- port and mobilize the necessary resources for effective and timely implementation of IHR (2005). This calls for national core capacity in disease detection and international collaboration for public health emergencies of international concern While many of these partnerships are already in place, there are serious gaps, particularly in the health systems of many countries, which weaken the consistency Figure 2 Global outbreaks, the challenge: late reporting and respe Potential case intemational spread prev 50 30Environmental disasters ■ Europe, 2003: the heatwave in Europe that claimed the lives of 35 000 persons was linked to unprecedented extremes in weather in other parts of the world during the same period. ■ Central Africa, 1986: more than 1700 people died of carbon dioxide poisoning following a massive release of gas from Lake Nyos, a volcanic crater lake. Such an event requires rapid assessment to determine if it is an international threat. This Overview summarizes some of the above examples, which, together with the les￾sons drawn from them, are more widely discussed in the report. The report emphasizes that the international response required today is not only to the known, but also to the unknown – the diseases that may arise from acute environmental or climatic changes and from industrial pollution and accidents that may put millions of people at risk in several countries. Global collaboration to meet threats to public health security These threats require urgent action, and WHO and its partners have much to offer immediately as well as in the longer term. This is an area where real progress to protect whole populations can be made, starting now. It is also where recent history shows that some of the most serious threats to human existence are likely to emerge without warning. It would be extremely naïve and complacent to assume that there will not be another disease like AIDS, another Ebola, or another SARS, sooner or later. A more secure world that is ready and prepared to respond collectively in the face of threats to global health security requires global partnerships that bring together all countries and stakeholders in all relevant sectors, gather the best technical sup￾port and mobilize the necessary resources for effective and timely implementation of IHR (2005). This calls for national core capacity in disease detection and international collaboration for public health emergencies of international concern. While many of these partnerships are already in place, there are serious gaps, particularly in the health systems of many countries, which weaken the consistency 90 0 Cases 1 Days Figure 2 Global outbreaks, the challenge: late reporting and response 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Early reporting Potential cases prevented/ international spread prevented Rapid response xii global public health security world health report 2007 in the 21st century