Risk assessment of public health emergencies concerned in the mainland of China, August 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 August 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 August 2021 would be similar or slightly lower than in July. The indigenous transmission of COVID-19 in China is expected to be brought under control soon with the concerted efforts of the whole country; The risk of foreign importation and subsequent local transmission continues. According to the incidence of the disease since this year and the previous disease epidemic pattern, the risk of sporadic human infection with avian influenza cases can not be excluded. Flood areas, predicted by meteorological authorities, need to be concerned about the risk of a rise in water-borne, food-borne and vector-borne diseases following the disaster.

  Conclusion  Special attention should be paid to COVID-19. General attentions should be paid to human infection with avian influenza and natural calamities.