Considerations for sharing information for international contact tracing in the context of COVID-19

Overview

• International contact tracing should be done through rapid information sharing between National IHR Focal Points (NFP) when cases are identified on conveyances, at points of entry or with a history of international travel while infectious. International contact tracing is particularly important for countries with no cases, imported/sporadic cases or limited cluster transmission. • Data must be protected throughout the process of international contact tracing. Health information and/or personal details of an identifiable individual should be exchanged between countries in a confidential manner by using encrypted and password-protected communication. • A two-step procedure is suggested for sharing information. Initially, the basic information items can be communicated, followed by sharing of additional information upon request from the counterpart NFP for the purpose of case investigation.