Risk assessment of yellow fever importation from “The Belt and Road” countries into China

Qualitative risk assessments of importation and further spread of yellow fever in China were conducted based on data from WHO website, literature and media information. The results indicated that the importation risk of yellow fever into China still exists, but the risks of both importation and local transmission are low. In view of the risks of the persistent importation and possible further transmission of yellow fever in China, it is necessary to strengthen the vaccination of yellow fever and health education about mosquito repelling for travelers from China to yellow fever endemic countries of “The Belt and Road”. It is essential to strengthen the health quarantine of returnees from these countries and surveillance for new infectious diseases, such as yellow fever, and continue the monitoring and control of mosquito vectors to prevent the importation and further transmission of yellow fever in China.