Risk assessment of public health emergencies concerned in the mainland of China, March 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 March 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 provincial centers for disease control and prevention attended this meeting through video terminal.

ResultsGenerally speaking, it is predicted that the incidence of public health emergencies would be higher in March than in February 2019, which might be dominated by the epidemics of varicella, seasonal influenza, mumps, other infectious diarrheal diseases and hand foot and mouth disease. The activity of seasonal influenza would continue to decrease, but clusters and outbreaks would still occur. The incidence peak of diarrhea epidemics caused by norovirus in schools might occur. The incidence of rubella would continue to increase. Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo would continue, however, the risk of spread to China is low.

ConclusionClose attention should be paid to seasonal influenza, and general attention should be paid to norovirus caused diarrhea, rubella and EVD in the Democratic Republic of Congo.