WHO declines to declare China virus outbreak a global health emergency
The WHO declared the ongoing outbreak of a novel virus a global health emergency, a move that reflects the widespread nature of the threat posed by the pathogen.
The World Health Organization on Thursday declined to designate the ongoing outbreak of a novel virus in China a global health emergency, saying that, for now, health officials are sufficiently equipped to combat the outbreak there and in other countries and that the agency does not need the additional authorities that come from such a declaration.
Announcing a public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, grants the WHO director-general certain powers, including the ability to issue recommendations for how countries should respond. Declaring a PHEIC could also galvanize global attention to the need to address the outbreak, which has sickened hundreds and killed at least 17 people in China, and led
