Risk assessment of public health emergency and concerned infectious diseases in mainland China, January 2016

Objective To assess the risk of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China in January 2016. 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 in 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 infectious diseases and public health emergencies, it is predicted that the incidences of public health emergencies or communicable diseases would be low in January 2016, lower than that in December 2015. Sporadic cases of human infection with H7N9 virus would continue to occur, and sporadic cases of other human infection of animal influenza virus might also occur. The activity of seasonal influenza, varicella, mumps and other respiratory diseases would increase seasonally. The risk of importation of MERS to China still exists, but the possibility of the large-scale transmission in China is very low. The incidence of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning caused by coal-fired heating would continue to be high. Conclusion The incidences of public health emergencies or communicable diseases in January 2016 would be low, similar to those during the same periods in previous years. Close attention should be paid to the prevention and control of human infection of avian influenza virus, seasonal influenza, MERS, and non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning.