Risk assessment of public health emergencies concerned in the mainland of China, January 2023

  Objective  To assess the risk of public health emergencies occurring in the mainland of China or possibly imported from outside China in January 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  The number of public health emergencies reported in January 2023 is expected to increase or be similar to that reported in December 2022. The COVID-19 rebound in the northern hemisphere is likely to continue in January 2023 due to immune escape of BQ, XBB and other possible emerging Omicron variants’ subtypes. The increased migration of people in Chinese mainland during the Spring Festival in 2023 could increase the risk of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 among uninfected people. The level of influenza virus activity is likely to increase in January, and influenza A is likely to dominate. January 2023 remains risky month for nonoccupational carbon monoxide poisoning.

  Conclusion  Special attention is given to COVID-19, and general attention is given to seasonal influenza and nonoccupational carbon monoxide poisoning.