Risk assessment of public health emergencies concerned in China, August 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 August 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 August 2023 would be similar to that in July 2023. The main public health emergencies would be infectious diseases such as Mpox, COVID-19 and dengue fever. The national epidemic of COVID-19 in China would still be at a low level, with less impact on medical order and social operation. The epidemic of Mpox would still be in progress, with a higher risk of sustained transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) and a lower risk of infection in the general population. Cholera would still be in the high incidence season, and it is expected that sporadic cases would still occur and clusters or outbreaks caused by gatherings or water contamination would possibly occur. Due to high risk of flooding and geologic hazards in August, attention should be paid to the post-disaster risk of waterborne, foodborne, and vectorborne infectious diseases in the disaster-stricken areas.

  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 natural disaster.