Objective To describe the epidemic of imported infectious diseases in China between 2013 and 2016, including the kinds of infectious diseases, affected provinces, source countries and the epidemiological characteristics, and provide scientific information for the prevention and control of imported infectious diseases. Methods Data of cases of imported infectious diseases in China from 2013 to 2016 were collected from national information reporting system of infectious diseases, Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS 18.0 were used to conduct data cleaning and analysis. Results From 2013 to 2016, a total of 16206 imported cases of infectious diseases were reported in China. Of all the cases, 83.12%(13471 cases) were malaria cases, followed by dengue fever (2628 cases,16.22%). The majority of the imported cases were males (14522 cases, 89.61%). Most cases were aged 20-50 years. Except Zika virus disease and yellow fever, which were mainly reported before and after spring festival, other imported infectious diseases mainly occurred in summer and autumn. The epidemic in affected provinces varied with the types of infectious diseases, and Yunnan reported the largest case number of imported infectious diseases, followed by Jiangsu, Guangxi and Guangdong. The imported cases were mainly from Asian countries, such as Burma, and African countries, such as Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Ghana, which also varied with the types of infectious diseases. Conclusions We should pay more attention to imported infectious diseases and strengthen the prevention and control measures in our country. In order to reduce the incidence of imported infectious diseases, the health education should be enforced for persons who plan to travel abroad and the active surveillance should be strengthened for returned travelers.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the information obtained through Internet-based media surveillance in 2013 on domestic public health emergencies and to compare with the related data reported through Chinese Public Health Emergency Management Information System (PHEMIS), and to study the role of Internet-based Media Surveillance Program (IBMSP) in the detection of public health emergencies.

METHODSA descriptive analysis was conducted based on the database of the information on domestic public health emergencies. Information was obtained through the Internet-based media surveillance in 2013.

RESULTSA total of 752 pieces of information regarding domestic public health emergencies in 31 provinces were obtained, through the IBMSP, run by the China CDC in 2013. 53.46% of all the information were categorized as initial ones on public health emergency while another 22.07% were considered as updated ones. 41.62% of the information were related to infectious diseases with another 24.73% to food poisoning. 27.53% of the information were from official websites of governments and professional organizations, with the rest 72.47% were from media. As for corresponding public health emergencies, 41.79% were food poisoning and 18.66% were infectious diseases. 22.39% of them occurred in schools, 18.16% in other organizations and 16.92% in households. 28.86% were reported through Chinese PHEMIS. For the 116 public health emergencies that both related to information obtained through Internet-based media surveillance in 2013 and reported through PHEMIS, the median days of interval between illness onset of the first case as well as reported by media, interval between onset of the first case as well as reported through PHEMIS, were 2.5 days and 2.0 days respectively. 19.83% of the emergencies were first reported by media than through PHEMIS.

CONCLUSIONInternet-based media surveillance programs had become an important way to detect public health emergencies and could serve as the supplement to the classic surveillance programs on public health emergencies.

China ; epidemiology ; Communicable Diseases ; epidemiology ; Databases, Factual ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Internet ; Public Health Surveillance ; methods

OBJECTIVETo establish a comprehensive evaluation index system for the China Public Health Emergency Events Surveillance System (CPHEESS).

METHODSA draft index system was built through literature review and under the consideration of the characteristics on CPHEESS. Delphi method was adapted to determine the final index system.

RESULTSThe index system was divided into primary, secondary and tertiary levels. There were 4 primary indicators: System structure, Network platform, Surveillance implementation reports with Data analysis and utilization. There were 16 secondary and 70 tertiary indicators being set, with System structure including 14 tertiary indicators (accounted for 20.00%), 21 Network platforms (accounted for 30.00%). Twenty-four Surveillance implementation reports (accounted for 34.29%), 11 Data analysis and utilization (accounted for 15.71%). The average score of importance of each indicators was 4.29 (3.77-4.94), with an average coefficient variation as 0.14 (0.12-0.16). The mean Chronbach's α index was 0.84 (0.81-0.89). The adaptability of each related facilities indicator was specified.

CONCLUSIONThe primary indicators were set in accordance with the characteristics and goals of the surveillance systems. Secondary indicators provided key elements in the management and control of the system while the tertiary indicators were available and operative. The agreement rate of experts was high with good validity and reliability. This index system could be used for CPHEESS in future.

China ; epidemiology ; Delphi Technique ; Emergencies ; Forecasting ; Humans ; Public Health Surveillance ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human infections with avian influenza A (H7N9) in China and to provide scientific evidence for the adjustment of preventive strategy and control measures.

METHODSDemographic and epidemiologic information on human cases were collected from both reported data of field epidemiological investigation and the reporting system for infectious diseases.

RESULTSA total of 433 cases including 163 deaths were reported in mainland China before June 4, 2014. Two obvious epidemic peaks were noticed, in March to April, 2013 and January to February, 2014. Confirmed cases emerged in 14 areas of China. Five provinces, including Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Hunan, reported about 85% of the total cases. Median age of the confirmed cases was 58 years (range, 1-91), with 70% as males. Of the 418 cases with available data, 87% had ever exposed to live poultry or contaminated environments. 14 clusters were identified but human to human transmission could not be ruled out in 9 clusters.

CONCLUSIONHuman infections with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus showed the characteristics of obvious seasonal distribution, with certain regional clusters. The majority of confirmed cases were among the elderly, with more males seen than the females. Data showed that main source of infection was live poultry and the live poultry market had played a significant role in the transmission of the virus.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Aged ; Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Demography ; Environmental Pollution ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Male ; Meat ; Poultry ; Research Design