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

Objective To assess the risks of public health emergencies and communicable diseases concerned in the mainland of China in May 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 were invited to attended this video conference. Results It is predicted that the reported public health emergencies and disease case number would continue to increase, and the annual peak might occur in May. The incidence of human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) showed no further decline in late April, so the incidence of H7N9 virus infection would remain at a high level in May. The incidence of hand foot and mouth disease would increase gradually. Due to the warming climate and the increased incidence of mosquito borne diseases in neighboring countries of China, the risk of importation of dengue fever and Zika virus disease has increased and small local outbreaks would occurred in southern provinces. but the possibility of large scale outbreaks is very low. Close attention should be paid to the possible importations of Middle East respiratory syndrome and yellow fever. Conclusion It is predicted that the reported public health emergency and disease case numbers would be higher in May than in April, 2017. It is necessary to pay more attention to the public health risks of human infection with avian influenza virus, mosquito-borne diseases, hand foot and mouth disease, and food poisoning.