Risk assessment of public health emergencies concerned in China, March 2023

  Objective  To assess the risk of public health emergencies that may occur or be imported from abroad in China (except Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions and Taiwan Province, the same below) in March 2023.

  Methods  Based on various data and departmental notification information on domestic and foreign public health emergencies reports and surveillance of key infectious diseases, the expert consultation method was used and experts from provincial (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) centers for disease prevention and control were invited to participate in the assessment by video conference.

  Results  It is expected that the number of reported public health emergencies in March 2023 may exceed that of February 2023. Currently, the Chinese people maintains a high level of natural immunity to SARS-COV-2 infection. Therefore, the spread of SARS-COV-2 infection in China may remain a low level in March. Influenza activity is likely to rise in March, and the epidemic peak might occur around mid-late March. Influenza outbreaks would maintain a high level in the schools and other crowded places. There might still be frequent norovirus outbreaks in kindergartens, primary and middle schools, nursery care centers and other gathering places in March.

  Conclusion  Special attention is given to COVID-19, and general attention is given to seasonal influenza and norovirus enteritis.