Risk assessment of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China, September 2015

Objective To assess the risk of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China in September 2015. Methods An internet based expert counsel was conducted to analyze the surveillance data of public health emergencies and priority communicable diseases in China reported through different channels, and the experts of all the provincial centers for disease control and prevention attended this video conference. Results According to the analysis of recent and previous surveillance data of public health emergencies and communicable diseases, it is predicted that the numbers of public health emergencies and communicable disease cases would be higher in September than in August. The risks of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) transmissions into China still exist, but the possibility of large scale spread is very low. As the falling air temperature and the coming of new school term, the incidences of communicable diseases, such as influenza and hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) would increase, and local outbreaks would occur in some provinces. It is still the season when food poisoning and foodborne disease occur frequently, so close attention should be paid to the prevention and control of food poisoning and foodborne disease as the coming of mid-autumn festival and national day vacation. Dengue fever and other insect-borne diseases still pose risk to public health in southern China. Conclusion It is predicted that the incidences of public health emergencies and communicable diseases would be higher in September than in August in China. Close attention should be paid to the possible public health risks caused by dengue fever, influenza, HFMD, EVD and MERS.