Risk assessment of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China, November 2016

Objective To assess the risk of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China in November 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 increase in November 2016, mainly the outbreaks of varicella, seasonal influenza, mumps, hand foot and mouth disease and other infectious diarrheal diseases occurred in schools. The incidence of sporadic human infection with avian influenza virus would gradually increase. The importation risk of Zika virus disease still exits, and transmission of Zika virus after importation would occur in southern China due to the existence of Aedes. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning would obviously increase in northern and northeastern China due to the household coal fired heating in winter. Conclusion The incidence of public health emergencies or communicable diseases would increase in China in November 2016. Close attention should be paid to the prevention and control of human infection with avian influenza virus; seasonal influenza, Zika virus disease and non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning.