Latest News

China's overall infectious disease situation remains stable. However, the country will maintain close monitoring of key diseases such as Nipah virus, as well as the epidemic situation in neighboring countries during the Spring Festival period, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Sunday.

At present, the incidence of acute respiratory infectious diseases is on a downward trend, with influenza in most regions in China having fallen to medium or low activity levels. During the Spring Festival holiday and the subsequent spring season, the nationwide epidemic situation is forecast to remain generally stable and under overall control, according to CDC.

According to the latest surveillance data released by the CDC, acute respiratory infectious diseases are declining but still in a seasonal high-incidence period. Influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the main detected pathogens. 

In most regions, influenza activity has dropped to medium or low levels. The RSV positivity rate continues to decline, while rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus and common coronaviruses are circulating at certain levels. Test positivity rates for COVID-19 and other monitored respiratory pathogens remain generally low.

Mosquito-borne infectious diseases are currently in a non-epidemic season domestically, said the CDC. However, these diseases are endemic year-round in some regions of the world and in neighboring countries, meaning the risk of imported cases of dengue fever, chikungunya and malaria remains. In southern China with higher temperatures, there is also a risk of sporadic local cases caused by imported infections or overwintering mosquitoes.

During the Spring Festival holiday, increased cross-border and cross-regional travel, as along with gatherings and social activities, may further elevate the risk of disease transmission. 

The Chinese CDC said that local authorities should strengthen preparedness and response for major infectious diseases and public health emergencies, closely monitor global trends of COVID-19, Chikungunya fever, Nipah virus disease and other key infectious diseases, as well as epidemic developments in neighboring countries, regions and major source countries, and make advance preparations for prevention and response.

Global Times