Risk assessment of public health emergencies concerned in the mainland of China, April 2021

  Objective  To assess the risk of public health emergencies, both the indigenous ones and the imported ones, which might occur in the mainland of China in April 2021.

  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 provincial centers for disease control and prevention attended this video conference.

  Results  It is expected that public health emergency events in April 2021 would be gradually restored to the 5 years’ average level before Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The risk of importation and local transmission of COVID-19 might be lower in April than March, as the prevention and control strategy remains unchanged in China, and with accelerating vaccination and rising temperature. Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease(HFMD) will continue to increase in most provinces of China, especially in the southern and eastern provinces. The outbreak of norovirus enteritis will still be at a high level. Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome(SFTS) may be higher than the average level before 6 years. Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) is still in a small peak in spring, the epidemic level may be similar to the same period in previous years.

  Conclusion  Special attention should be paid to COVID-19. Major attention should be paid to the HFMD. General attentions should be paid to norovirus, SFTS, and HFRS.