Risk assessment of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China, July 2016

Objective To assess the risk of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China in July 2016. 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 the provincial centers for disease control and prevention attended this video conference. Results According to the analysis of recent and previous surveillance data of communicable diseases and public health emergencies, it is predicted that the incidence of public health emergencies or communicable diseases would be lower in July than in June 2016. The risk of importation of mosquito borne diseases, such as Zika virus infection, yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya, still exists. With the coming of midsummer, the incidences of insect borne infectious diseases, such as dengue, and enteric infectious diseases,such as cholera, would increase, and local outbreaks might occur in some provinces. The sporadic cases of human infection with avian influenza virus might still be reported in July. The risk of importation of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) from Saudi Arabia still exists. The secondary and derivative public health risk caused by natural disasters should not be neglected. The incidence of heat stroke and food poisoning might also increase. Conclusion The incidence of public health emergencies or communicable diseases would be lower in July than in June 2016, similar to the same period in previous years. Close attention should be paid to the public health risks caused by mosquito borne diseases, such as Zika virus infection, yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya, human infection with avian influenza virus, natural disasters, heat stroke and food poisoning.