International travel and health Latest WHO advice for international travel and trade in relation to the outbreak of diseases affecting the relevant countries. Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) A new virus has been identified on 7 January 2020 by the Chinese authorities. This new virus, temporarily named "2019-nCoV" is a coronavirus, a family of viruses that includes the common cold, and viruses such as SARS and MERS. WHO has been alerted by the Chinese authorities on 31 December 2019 over several cases of pneumonia that occurred in Wuhan City, Hubei province of China. Because this is a coronavirus that can cause respiratory illnesses and is relatively unknown pending investigation to be undertaken to understand the source of this new virus, please click on this link for precautionary measures to be taken for international travel and trade. Important COVID-19 information WHO's recommendations and advice for the public WHO's latest situation report WHO's myth busters ' advice for the public WHO's travel and tourism Latest information coming from various government states Advice from the IMO and International Labour Organization on unnecessary restrictions and delays to ships and crew Advice from the IMO on Guidance relating to the certification of seafarers IMO's preliminary list of recommendations to assist governments and national authorities on facilitation of maritime trade Paris MoU - Guidance on Port Sate Control regarding extensions  Tokyo MoU - Guidance on granting of extensions  Indian MoU - Guidance on granting of extensions IMO Coronavirus (COVID-19) information section Official joint-statement issued by the IMO and WHO on respect for free pratique and international maritime traffic and trade ICS guidance International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) guidance for ship operators for the protection of the health of seafarers    Monkeypox  On 23 July 2022, WHO declared the ongoing monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Multi-Country Monkeypox Outbreak - Global Trends In May 2022, 23 Member states have reported to WHO on cases of monkeypox. These 23 Member states are countries that are not endemic for such a virus and has caused an outbreak in one non-endemic country. WHO has disseminated information and guidance on this disease and it can be found in a IMO circular (no. 4575 dated 31 May 2022). At the time of reporting this, the overall public health risk at global level is assessed as moderate and no travel restrictions have yet to be imposed.  Additional information can also be found op WHO/Monkeypox, WHO/Q&A, updates, WHO Health Emergency Dashboard and emergency situation reports.   Zika virus On 8 February 2016 the IMO issued Circular Letter No.3623 providing guidance on the Zika situation report issued by the WHO. As of 8 February 2016, the Emergency Committee (EC), convened by WHO's Director-General, under the International Health Regulations (2005), has found no justification for restrictions on travel or trade. Further updates will be provided as and when received from the EC. For further information please refer to the below links: WHO/Zika virus disease section  Zika virus infection Pan America...

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