Risk assessment of public health emergencies andcommunicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China, August 2016

Objective To assess the risk of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China in August 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 communicable diseases and public health emergencies, it is predicted that the incidence of public health emergencies or communicable diseases would be at low level in August, 2016. The risk of imported Zika virus disease and yellow fever would be lower than in early 2016, however, the condition of Aedes now is more favorable for their transmission. The local transmission of dengue fever has occurred in southern China, and the risk is expected to be higher in next month. The incidence of infectious diarrheal diseases would be higher and outbreak might occur. The risk of mushroom/food poisoning after dinner parties would be still at high level, and heatstroke might continue to occur. On the other hand, it is raining season now, more attention should be paid to flood related public health risk. Conclusion The incidence of public health emergencies or communicable diseases would be at the lowest level in August 2016. However, major concern should be paid to the prevention and control of Aedes borne diseases (Zika virus disease, dengue fever and yellow fever) and flood related public health risk; and general concern should be paid to infectious diarrheal diseases, food poisoning and heatstroke.