[2] It was created to oversee international rules regarding the quarantining of ships and ports to prevent the spread of plague and cholera, and to administer other public health conventions,[5] leading to engage on other epidemics, and the collection of broader epidemiological data on various diseases, as well as issues such as the control of medicinal opium, cannabis, and other drugs,[6] the traumas created by World War I, etc.

A following conference was held in Rome on December 3, of that same year, and in attendance were delegates from Belgium, Brazil, British India, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.

[10] The OIHP was dissolved by protocols signed 22 July 1946[11] and its epidemiological service was incorporated into the Interim Commission of the World Health Organization on 1 January 1947.

[12] The OIHP was managed by a "Permanent Committee" chaired successively by Rocco Santoliquido (1908-1919), Oscar Velghe (1919-1932), George S. Buchanan (1932-1936).

As of 1933, the OIHP was composed of the following contracting parties:[14] [1] Permanent Committee of the International Office of Public Hygiene: Special Session of May, 1931.