Chan captured 150 votes of the 159 countries permitted to participate in the closed-door ballot session. There are a total of 193 nations represented in the organization.

Recognized as a foremost expert on avian influenza, or bird flu, Chan has set the goal of improving the health of women and Africans as two of her top goals.

She also stressed the importance of international cooperation in establishing effective surveillance against diseases such as bird flu, as well as sharing data to develop vaccines.