Risk assessment of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China, February 2017

Objective To assess the risks of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China in February 2017. 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 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, mainly caused by human infected with avian influenza, seasonal influenza, and infectious diarrhea,would be low in February 2017.More sporadic cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus might occur in many areas. The outbreaks of seasonal influenza and infectious diarrhea would increase seasonally after school reopening. The risk of importation of Zika virus disease still exists, but the possibility of mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus would be very low.In the households with coal fired heating, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning would be still high. Conclusion The incidence of public health emergencies would below in February 2017 in China. Close attention should be paid to human infection with avian influenza virus; the prevention and control of seasonal influenza, norovirus disease, norovirus infection and non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning should not be neglected; and the public health risk of Zika virus disease outbreak should be understood.