Assessment of risk of public health emergency and communicable diseases concerned in August in China, 2013

Objective To assess the risk of public health emergency and communicable diseases concerned in August in the mainland of China, 2013. Methods The analysis was conducted on the previous surveillance data of public health emergency and communicable diseases reported in China through different channels. Results Previous surveillance indicated that the incidence of public health emergency in August was lowest during a year. The incidence trend of public health emergency during January-July 2013 was similar with that in previous years, the monthly public health emergency numbers in 2013 was similar with those in the same period 2012 and this number declined in July compared with June. Now it is the high risk season for enteric communicable diseases (such as cholera, typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery) and vector-borne infectious diseases (such as dengue). Food poisoning risk is still high. Although Middle East respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has not been recognized as an international public health concern yet, close attention still needs to be paid to it. Extreme hot weather in July in southern China had caused many heat stroke cases and some deaths, and it is forecasted that the extreme hot weather would last in August. Recently, earthquake, typhoon, flood and drought occurred frequently in China, and all of these natural disasters might cause secondary public health consequences. Conclusion It is expected that the incidence trend of public health emergency in August 2013 would be at low level, similar with those in previous years, but the surveillance of MERS-CoV, food poisoning and heat stroke should be strengthened.