The purpose and scope of the International Health Regulations (2005) are “to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks, and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade”. Because the IHR (2005) are not limited to specific diseases but apply to new and ever- changing public health risks, they are intended to have long-lasting relevance in the international response to the emergence and spread of disease. The IHR (2005) also provide the legal basis for important health documents applicable to international travel and transport and sanitary protections for the users of international airports, ports, and ground crossings.

This third edition contains the text of the IHR (2005), the text of World Health Assembly resolution WHA58.3, the amended version of Annex 7 (concerning period of protection of vaccination against yellow fever, and validity of related certificates) that entered into force on 11 July 2016, the Health Part of the Aircraft General Declaration that entered into force on 15 July 2007, and appendices containing an updated list of States Parties and State Party reservations and other communications in connection with the IHR (2005).

'Ship Captain's Medical Guide' is intended primarily for use on ships where no doctor is carried and it is necessary to assess and treat injuries and to diagnose and treat ill health. The guide can also be recommended for use in other situations where professional medical advice is not readily available, for example on expeditions. For the 23rd edition the guide has been comprehensively rewritten reflecting modern best practices. It contains: - Flow charts to aid evaluation and treatment - Clear, authoritative advice and easy-to-follow guidance - Step-by-step illustrations to explain emergency procedures - Quick-reference lists regarding history and examination - Cross references to further detail - Anatomical illustrations

This handbook is intended to be used as reference material for port health officers, regulators, ship operators and other competent authorities in charge of implementing the IHR (2005) at ports and on ships. The handbook is based on the IHR (2005) provisions regarding ship inspection and issue of SSCs. They provide guidance for preparing and performing the inspection, completing the certificates and applying public health measures within the framework of the IHR (2005).

The primary aim of the revised Guide to ship sanitation is to present the public health significance of ships in terms of disease and to highlight the importance of applying appropriate control measures. The guide is intended to be used as a basis for the development of national approaches to controlling the hazards that may be encountered on ships, as well as providing a framework for policy-making and local decision-making. The guide may also be used as reference material for regulators, ship operators and ship builders, as well as a checklist for understanding and assessing the potential health impacts of projects involving the design of ships.