Risk assessment of public health emergencies concerned in the mainland of China, February 2019

ObjectiveTo assess the risks of public health emergencies, both the indigenous ones and the imported ones, which might occur in the mainland of China in February 2019.

MethodsAn 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 meeting through video terminal.

ResultsThe incidence of public health emergencies reported in February would decrease compared with January and might be at the lowest level in 2019, which might mainly be the outbreaks of seasonal influenza, other infectious diarrheal diseases, varicella and others, followed by food poisoning and non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning events. The level of influenza activity would be still high, but it will show a downward trend. The incidence of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning will continue to be high. The epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo will continue, but the risk of spread to China is still low. During the Spring Festival, it is necessary to strengthen the prevention of seasonal influenza, norovirus infection, food poisoning and non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning, and it is necessary for those traveling abroad to pay attention to the prevention of dengue fever, Zika virus disease and others as well as food hygiene.

ConclusionClose attention should be paid to seasonal influenza, and non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning, and general attention should be paid to EVD in the Democratic Republic of Congo and travel health during Spring Festival.