Glossary

These terms and definitions have been provided for use within the context of this tool and may differ from those used in other documents.

After action review
An AAR provides an opportunity to review the functional capacity of public health and emergency response systems and to identify practical areas for continued improvement (Guidance for after action review (AAR). Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2019 (WHO/WHE/CPI/2019.4). Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.)
Biological agents of high consequence
These are biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to both human and animal health. While some select agents are normally found in the environment and don’t cause human disease, many of them – if manipulated or released in large quantities – can cause serious health threats. The informal Australia Group provides a List of human and animal pathogens and toxins for export control (http://www.australiagroup.net/en/human_animal_pathogens.html)
Biosafety
Laboratory biosafety describes the containment principles, technologies and practices that are implemented to prevent unintentional exposure to pathogens and toxins, or their accidental release. (World Health Organization. (2020). Laboratory biosafety manual, 4th ed. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/337956. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO)
Biosecurity
Laboratory biosecurity describes the protection, control and accountability for valuable biological materials within laboratories as well as information related to these materials and dual-use research, in order to prevent their unauthorized access, loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release. (World Health Organization. (2022). Joint external evaluation tool: International Health Regulations (2005), 3rd ed. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/357087. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO)
Case
A person who has the particular disease, health disorder or condition that meets the case definitions for surveillance and outbreak investigation purposes. The definition of a case for surveillance and outbreak investigation purpose is not necessarily the same as anordinary clinical definition. (adapted from Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
Case definition
A set of diagnostic criteria that must be fulfilled for an individual to be regarded as a case of a particular disease for surveillance and outbreak investigation purposes. Case definitions can be based on clinical criteria, laboratory criteria or a combination of the two with the elements of time, place and person. (In the IHR, case definitions are published on the WHO website1 for the four diseases for which all cases must be notified by States Parties to WHO, regardless of circumstances, under the IHR as provided in Annex 2.)
Chemical event
A manifestation of a disease or an occurrence of an event which creates a potential for a disease as a result of exposure to or contamination by a chemical agent.
Communicable disease
A disease whose causal agent can be transmitted from successive hosts to healthy subjects, from one individual to another. An illness due to a specific infectious agent or its toxic products that arises through transmission of such agent or products from an infected person, animal, or reservoir to a susceptible host, either directly or indirectly through an intermediate plant or animal host, vector, or the inanimate environment. All infections and infestations are communicable (transmissible) diseases. (adapted from Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
Competent authority
An authority responsible for the implementation and application of health measures under the IHR.
Contamination
The presence of an infectious or toxic agent or matter on the body surface of a human or animal, in or on a product prepared for consumption or on other inanimate objects, including conveyances that may constitute a public health risk.
Decontamination
A procedure whereby health measures are taken to eliminate an infectious or toxic agent or matter on the body surface of a human or animal, in or on a product prepared for consumption, or on other inanimate objects, including conveyances that may constitute a public health risk.
Designated laboratories
These are laboratories designated to perform specific laboratory services by national, WHO or other authorities because of their proven capacities and capabilities, such as for AMR testing.
Designated points of entry
These refer to a port, airport and potentially a ground crossing that is designated by a State Party to strengthen, develop and maintain the capacities as per main IHR articles 19, 20 and 21, and as described in Annex 1 of the IHR: the capacities at all times concerning access to medical services for prompt assessment and care of ill travellers, a safe environment for travellers (e.g. water, food, waste), personnel for inspection and vector control functions; and the capacities to respond specifically to events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern.
Disease
An illness or medical condition, irrespective of origin or source, that presents or could present significant harm to humans.
Disinsection
The procedure whereby health measures are taken to control or kill insect vectors of human diseases present in baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods and postal parcels.
Early warning alert and response
The organized mechanism to rapidly detect and respond to signals that might indicate potential acute public health events (Early Warning Alert and Response in Emergencies: an operational guide. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO).
Early Warning System
In disease surveillance, a specific procedure to detect as early as possible any departure from usual or normally observed frequency of phenomena. (Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014)
Epidemic
The occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness, specific health-related behaviours, or other health-related events clearly in excess of normal expectancy. The community or region and the period in which the cases occur are specified precisely. The number of cases indicating the presence of an epidemic varies according to the agent, size and type of population exposed, previous experience or lack of exposure to the disease, and time and place of occurrence (adapted from Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
Event
A manifestation of disease or an occurrence that creates a potential for disease.
Event-based surveillance
The organized collection, monitoring, assessment and interpretation of mainly unstructured ad hoc information regarding potential public health events or risks which may represent an acute risk to human health. (Early Warning Alert and Response in Emergencies: an operational guide. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO).
Field Epidemiology Training Program
  1. FETP Basic Level Training is for local health staff and consists of limited classroom hours interspersed throughout as a three-to-five month on-the-job field assignment to build capacity in conducting timely outbreak detection, public health response and public health surveillance.
  2. FETP Intermediate Level Training is for district/region/state-level epidemiologists, and consists of limited classroom hours interspersed throughout as a six-to-nine month on-the-job mentored field assignment to build capacity in conducting outbreak investigations, planned epidemiologic studies, and public health surveillance analyses and evaluations.
  3. FETP Advanced Level Training is for advanced epidemiologists and consists of limited classroom hours interspersed throughout the 24 months of mentored field assignments to build capacity in outbreak investigations, planned epidemiologic studies, public health surveillance analyses and evaluations, scientific communication, and evidence-based decision making for development of effective public health programming with a national focus. Animal health professionals can be engaged in these FETP trainings.
Gender
Refers to socially constructed characteristics of women and men — such as norms, roles and relations of and between groups of women and men. (World Health Organization. (2011). Gender mainstreaming for health managers: a practical approach. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/44516)
Gender action plan
Refers to a planning document that includes: (i) Activities that will be undertaken to address identified and assessed gender gaps (ii) Indicators to assess progress in closing each gender gap; (iii) Data and measures required to track shifts in each indicator; (iv) Training and (human and institutional) capacity requirements and how these will be met; (v) An estimated line-item budget; (vi) A timeline.
Gender gaps
refers to differences between men, women and people of diverse gender identities in terms of their levels of participation, access, rights, remuneration or benefits. These gaps may arise because of biological, socioeconomic or sociocultural reasons. Gender high priority gaps refers to sex and gender gaps that are assessed to (i) inhibit implementation effectiveness, (ii) potentially affect a large proportion of the population of the disadvantaged sex (women and girls, or men and boys) and (iii) act as a constraint to effective and full preparedness and response that the whole population can access. Based on the gender analysis conducted, each country will determine which elements of gender inequalities are high priority, with consideration given to the differences across countries in sociocultural contexts and gender norms
Gender systematic assessment
refers to evidence-based identification of a gender gap to understand the causes of that gender gap (sometimes referred to as gender analysis), without knowing the causes of a gender inequality it is not possible to develop an action plan to address it. Assessments can be done using secondary analysis of available data and research where possible, as well as with novel research.
Ground crossing
A point of land entry into a State Party, including those utilized by road vehicles and trains.
Hazard
The inherent capability of an agent or situation to have an adverse effect; a factor or exposure that may adversely affect health (similar concept to risk factor).
Health worker
Any employee in a health care facility who has close contact with patients, patient-care areas or patient-care items; also referred to as “health care worker”.
Public health and social measures (PHSMs)
Are a key strategies to reduce the transmission of pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential. PHSMs include non-pharmaceutical interventions that can be taken by individuals, institutions, communities, local and national governments and international bodies to slow or stop the spread of an infectious disease. (https://www.who.int/activities/measuring-the-effectiveness-and-impact-of-public-health-and-social-measures)
Incidence
The number of instances of illness commencing, or of persons falling ill, during a given period in a specified population (Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
Indicator-based surveillance
The systematic collection, monitoring, analysis and interpretation of structured health-related data (indicators), produced by health facilities or other defined sources. Reporting is based on standardized case definitions of selected priority diseases or conditions. (Early Warning Alert and Response in Emergencies: an operational guide. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO).
Infection
The entry and development or multiplication of an infectious agent in an organism, including the body of humans and animals that may constitute a public health risk. Infection is non synonymous with infectious disease; the result may be inapparent of manifest. (adapted from Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
Infectious agent
A microscopic element that is capable or causing a disease in a susceptible host. (Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
Infectious disease
A disease due to an infectious agent. While some infectious diseases are contagious, others are noncontagious (i.e. require a vector for transmission). All infectious and infestations are communicable diseases (See also Communicable diseases) (adapted from Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR)
This is a legally-binding instrument of international law which has its origin in the International Sanitary Conventions of 1851, concluded in response to increasing concern about the links between international trade and spread of diseases (cross-border health risks).
Intra-action review
A country-led, facilitated discussion that allows national and subnational stakeholders of the COVID-19 response to (i) reflect on actions being undertaken to prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak at the country level in order to identify current best practices, gaps and lessons learned, and (ii) propose corrective actions to improve and strengthen the continued response to COVID-19. Additionally, IAR findings and recommendations may contribute to improving the management of concurrent emergencies and to long-term health security. (Guidance for conducting a country COVID-19 intra-action review (IAR). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020 (WHO/2019-nCoV/Country_IAR//2020.1). Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.)
Isolation
Separation, for the period of communicability, of infected persons or animals from others under such conditions as to prevent or limit the transmission of the infectious agent from those infected to those who are susceptible or who may spread the agent to others. (Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
Legislation
The range of legal, administrative or other governmental instruments that may be available for States Parties to implement the IHR. This includes legally binding instruments, such as state constitutions, laws, acts, decrees, orders, regulations and ordinances; legally non-binding instruments, such as guidelines, standards, operating rules, administrative procedures or rules; and other types of instruments, such as protocols, resolutions and inter-sectoral or inter-ministerial agreements. This encompasses legislation in all sectors, such as health, agriculture, transportation, environment, ports and airports, and at all applicable governmental levels (national, intermediate, local and other).
Multisectoral
A holistic approach involving the efforts of multiple organizations, institutes and agencies. It encourages interdisciplinary participation, collaboration and coordination of people of concern and resources from these key organizations for promoting health security, to achieve a specific goal.
National legislation
See Legislation
National IHR Focal Point
The national centre designated by each State Party, which shall be accessible at all times for communications with WHO IHR contact points under the IHR.
Notifiable disease
A disease that, by statutory/legal requirements, must be reported to a public health or other competent authority in the pertinent jurisdiction when the diagnosis is made (adapted from Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
Notification
The processes by which cases or outbreaks are brought to the knowledge of the health authorities. In the context of the IHR, notification is the official communication of a disease/health event to WHO by the health administration of the Member State affected by the disease/health event.
One Health
Defined by WHO as an approach to designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes, In the context of the WHO IHR monitoring and evaluation framework, taking a One Health approach means including, from all relevant sectors, national information, expertise, perspectives and experience necessary to conduct assessments, evaluations and reporting for the implementation of the IHR.
Other governmental instruments
Agreements, protocols and resolutions of any government authority or body.
Outbreak
An epidemic limited to localized increase in the incidence of a disease, such as in a village, town or closed institution (adapted from Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
Point of entry
A passage for international entry or exit of travellers, baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods and postal parcels, and the agencies and areas providing services to them upon entry or exit.
Port
A seaport or a port on an inland body of water where ships on an international voyage arrive or depart.
Public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)
An extraordinary event (as provided in the IHR) that: (i) constitutes a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease; and (ii) potentially requires a coordinated international response.
Public health risk
The likelihood of an event that may adversely affect the health of human populations, with an emphasis on whether it may spread internationally or present a serious and direct danger.
Rapid response team
A group of trained individuals that is ready to respond quickly to an event. The composition and terms of reference are determined by the concerned country.
Readiness
It is the ability to quickly and appropriately respond when required to any emergencies.
Regulations or administrative requirements
All regulations, procedures, rules and standards.
Relevant/other sectors
Private and public sectors: such as all levels of the health care system (national, subnational and community/primary public health); NGOs; ministries of agriculture (zoonosis, veterinary laboratory), transport (transport policy, civil aviation, ports and maritime transport), trade and/or industry (food safety and quality control), foreign trade (consumer protection, control of compulsory standard enforcement), communication, defence, treasury or finance (customs), environment, interior, health, tourism; the home office; media; and regulatory bodies.
Risk communication
For public health emergencies includes the range of communication capacities required through the preparedness, response and recovery phases of a serious public health event to encourage informed decision making, positive behaviour change and the maintenance of trust.
Simulation exercise
An exercise is a form of practice, training, monitoring or evaluation of capabilities, involving the description or simulation of an emergency to which a described or simulated response is made. There are two categories of exercises: discussion-based (table top exercises) and operations-based (drills, functional exercises, field exercises and full-scale exercises). WHO Simulation Exercise Manual http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/254741/1/.
Subnational level
Refers to all administrative levels under the national level, including regional, provincial or state, and can also include municipality level.
Surveillance
The systematic ongoing collection, collation and analysis of data for public health purposes and the timely dissemination of public health information for assessment and public health response, as necessary.
Syndrome
A complex of signs and symptoms that tend to occur together, often characterizing a disease, in which the symptoms and/or signs coexist more frequently than would be expected by chance independently (adapted from Porta M, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology, sixth edition. International Epidemiological Association, Inc. New York: Oxford University Press; 2014).
Trained staff
Individuals that have educational credentials and/or received specific instruction that is applicable to a task or situation.
Vector
An insect or other invertebrate that transmits an infectious agent or parasite from one animal (including humans) or plant to another.
Verification
The provision of information by a State Party to WHO confirming the status of an event within the territory or territories of that State Party.
WHO IHR contact point
The unit within WHO that is accessible at all times for communications with the National IHR Focal Point.
Zoonotic diseases (or zoonoses)
Any infection or infectious disease that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans.
Zoonotic event
A manifestation of a disease in animals that creates a potential for a disease in humans as a result of human exposure to the animal source.