Risk assessment of public health emergencies concerned in China, September 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 September 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 control and prevention were invited to participate in the assessment by video conference.

  Results  It is predicted that the incidence of public health emergencies in September 2023 would be higher than that in August 2023. The main public health emergencies would be infectious diseases such as COVID-19, Mpox, dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease. The national epidemic of COVID-19 in China would still be at a low level, with less impact on medical order and social operation. Among men who have sex with men, the risk of sustained transmission of Mpox remains higher, with an increasing risk of infection for their spouses and sexual partners, and a lower risk in the general population. It is expected that sporadic cases of cholera would still occur, and cluster outbreak would possibly occur. September is the high risk season of dengue fever in China, and indigenous cases would continue to increase.

  Conclusion  Special attention should be paid to COVID-19, close attention should be paid to Mpox, and general attention should be paid to cholera and dengue fever.