Global guidelines for sharing illness information date back to the 1850s

NPR | By Gabrielle Emanuel

Published October 8, 2026 at 3:16 PM CDT

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International Health Regulations mandate that countries share information about illness that may affect people beyond their borders. It's being put to the test after a Russian plague researcher died.

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Gabrielle Emanuel

Gabrielle Emanuel covers Global Health and Development for NPR’s Science Desk.