A World Health Organization (WHO) team is visiting the Kingdom to ensure implementation of laws designed to keep disease epidemics under control. Under the new WHO regulations, all 193 member states must report within 24 hours of assessment any disease or event that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern. “The regulations cover any event that could constitute a public health emergency of international concern, e.g. chemical events or infectious diseases, such as SARS,” a WHO spokesman said. Assistant deputy minister for preventive medicine Dr. Ziad Memish said that the visit is to gauge the level of cooperation between ministries and departments for implementing these requirements. The committee will develop checks and early alarm systems at sea, air and land ports of entry.