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 region, the same below) in February 2026.

Methods  Based on the reports of domestic and foreign public health emergencies and surveillance results of key infectious diseases or notifications from relative agencies and departments, the expert consultation conference was hold and experts from provincial (autonomous region and municipal) centers for disease control and prevention attended this conference through video terminal.

Results  Influenza activity has decreased to moderate-to-low epidemic levels. The prevalent strains are still dominated by the A(H3N2) subtype. However, the proportion of influenza B(Victoria) viruses is gradually rising. Currently, acute respiratory infectious diseases in China are still in the epidemic season, with an overall downward trend. February remains a high-incidence period for norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks, with a slight decline expected during the winter vacation. Crowded places such as homes and catering establishments are high-risk locations. A possible upward trend may occur as schools reopen. The epidemic of mpox IIb sublineage in China remains at a low level, while mpox Ib sublineage continues to pose a risk of importation and secondary transmission. Sporadic cases of human infection with novel influenza subtypes will continue to occur. February is a high-incidence period for non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning in China. Returning overseas Chinese during the Spring Festival holiday has led to an increased risk of imported infectious diseases from abroad.

Conclusion  Attention should be paid to influenza, acute respiratory infectious diseases, norovirus enteritis, mpox, human infection with novel influenza subtypes and non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning.