[International health regulation and world epidemiological situation (author's transl)]

The world epidemiological situation shows to day an important set back of past pandemic diseases. The International Health Regulation (IHR) will soon include only three diseases. The three others will be added to the diseases under international surveillance: poliomyelitis, epidemic influenza and malaria. These satisfactory results have been obtained partially by the the application of the IHR. Nevertheless, some other infectious diseases appear potentially dangerous (for instance, the viral african haemorrhagic fevers). Moreover, many residual forms of pestilential diseases are persisting and give them a renewed and present interest. Subjects to new arrangements in the form and in the mind, the maintenance of an international health legislation will be always a necessity. The face that this convention undergoes frequent infringements does not prevent that, contrary to the appearances, it is finally proving effective and necessary.