Risk assessment of public health emergency and concerned infectious diseases in China, April 2014

Objective To assess the risk of public health emergency and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China in April 2014. Methods Semi-structured interviews and discussions among subject matter experts were based on surveillance data and public organization bulletins, et al. And provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attended the assessment through remote video conference. Results According to the surveillance data of infectious disease and public health emergency, the occurrence of public health emergency events in April will start to rise, the increase in the measles and HFMD epidemic has been found significantly in March, the number of reported cases will keep rising in April. The human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) infection recently declined. Further sporadic human cases H7N9 infection are expected in affected and possibly neighboring areas. But there is not likely to spread extensively and have much number of cases like last Spring. Food poisoning events are expected to increase in April and the microorganisms and plant poisoning will take the most part. The risk of Ebola virus disease and MERS infection spreading from abroad is considered low. We need to continue strengthening surveillance and carry out risk assessment timely. Conclusion It is expected that the national public health emergencies and epidemic situation of infectious diseases in April will remain similar to the previous years and start to incline. We need to strengthen surveillance and preparedness for human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) viruses, HFMD and Ebola virus disease.