Risk assessment of public health emergencies concerned in China, January 2026

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 January 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  The number of reported public health emergencies in January 2026 may decrease compared to December 2025. The main public health emergencies would be infectious diseases. Currently, acute respiratory infectious diseases in China are still in the high season, with an overall downward trend. Influenza is at a moderate epidemic level, and the prevalent strain is still dominated by the A(H3N2) subtype. The outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis may continue to rise slightly, with schools and childcare institutions being high-risk areas for norovirus outbreaks. In the short term, the mpox IIb sublineage outbreak in China will remain at a low level, and the risk of imported cases of mpox Ia and Ib sublineages persists. The risk of sporadic human infections with avian influenza persists. The risk of Rift Valley fever outbreak in Senegal and Mauritania entering China is low. The risk of importing Marburg virus disease from Ethiopia into China is low. The risk of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning will increase. As the 2026 Spring Festival approaches, heightened vigilance is required regarding the potential risk of imported infectious diseases (such as malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya fever, and Lassa fever) that may be introduced through returning travelers.

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