Global health security: radiation countermeasures for acute radiation syndrome

In response to the exponential increase in the emergence and reemergence of international disease threats and other health risks, 194 countries across the globe agreed to implement the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). This international law was enacted on 15 June 2007. The stated purpose and scope of the IHR - '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' - requires States to strengthen core surveillance and response capacities at the primary, intermediate, and national level. In brief, we need to make concerted efforts in global health security through the development of radiation countermeasures