Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 27th Title: What is the popularity trend? How to take good protection? ——The National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention responds to hot topics in preventing and controlling infectious diseases in spring and summer

Xinhua News Agency reporter Gu Tiancheng

As the temperature rebounds in spring and summer, the epidemic situation of infectious diseases has also changed. How to predict the trend this year? What health protection measures should the public take? How to prevent the risk of foodborne diseases? On the 27th, the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention held a press conference to answer hot issues in preventing and controlling infectious diseases in spring and summer.

The national infectious disease epidemic is generally stable and controllable

"This spring and summer will show a trend of common epidemics. Acute respiratory infectious diseases are at a low epidemic level overall, and the intensity of influenza in the country continues to decline. It is expected to fall back to the non-epidemic level in April." Liu Qing, deputy director of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Department of the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, said that some southern provinces may usher in a small peak in summer influenza, and the infection of the new coronavirus will fluctuate slowly. We need to pay close attention to the dynamics of the mutant strain.

Liu Qing introduced that the number of reported cases of measles epidemic has increased compared with the same period last year due to factors such as international import risks, but through high coverage of vaccination, the reported incidence of measles in my country is currently below one million. In terms of mosquito-borne infectious diseases, the risk of dengue fever has increased significantly, and the risk of malaria import cannot be ignored.

In intestinal infectious diseases, norovirus infection will gradually decline, and hand, foot and mouth disease will enter an upward period as the temperature rises. Newly-occurred infectious diseases such as monkeypox and human and avian influenza are in a sporadic state, and it is necessary to prevent the local transmission caused by imported cases from abroad.

"On the basis of continuing to implement various prevention and control measures in spring and summer, the national infectious disease epidemic is generally stable and controllable," said Liu Qing.

Build a solid measles immune barrier

Abuse of vaccines containing measles ingredients and maintaining a high level of vaccination rate is the most effective measure to block the spread of measles virus and prevent and control the measles epidemic.

Liu Qing said that the vaccination rate of children with erectile dysfunction in my country exceeds 95%, effectively building a herd immunity barrier. Since the beginning of this year, due to factors such as the global measles epidemic situation, the spread of imported viruses from abroad, and the weak links in the prevention and control work in some regions, the measles epidemic in my country has risen, but overall it is still at a low epidemic level.

It is reported that the next step will be to strengthen port quarantine to strictly prevent cross-border transmission of the epidemic; carry out vaccine missed reproduction, covering areas with weak immunity; schools and childcare institutions need to strengthen morning and afternoon inspections and report suspected cases in a timely manner.

Experts stress that vaccination is still the most effective means to prevent measles, and children of appropriate age should complete the immunization procedures on time.

Cleaning water, preventing bites, and monitoring regularly

In 2024, more than 14 million dengue fever cases were reported worldwide, setting a record high.

Liu Qiyong, chief expert on vector biological in the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that some provinces, cities and neighboring countries in my country are key areas for dengue fever prevention and control. If the public goes during the dengue fever epidemic season, they must protect physical barriers. Try to choose a accommodation environment equipped with screens and air conditioning. It is recommended to use mosquito nets when sleeping at night.

Experts suggest that Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the main transmission vectors of dengue fever, and removing water accumulation is the key to preventing mosquitoes. It is recommended that families regularly clean the flower pot trays and discarded containers, and cover the water tank with a seal. If you experience high fever, joint pain, and rash after returning from endemic areas such as Southeast Asia, you need to seek medical treatment in time and apply for a travel history.

Chang Zhaorui, a researcher at the Infectious Disease Management Office of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that tick bites have entered the peak season. After outdoor activities, the whole body should be checked. If ticks are attached, they need to be pulled out vertically with tweezers to avoid residual mouthparts, and then disinfect and observe. Plague prevention and control focuses on the source of the northwest epidemic. The public should abide by the principle of "three no and three reports", stay away from wild animals such as marmots, take measures to prevent flea bites, and monitor symptoms such as fever and lymph nodes after returning.

Beware of "hidden dangers on the tip of the tongue"

Spring and summer are the peak periods of foodborne diseases, and families become the main risk places.

Bai Li, director of the Microbiology Office of the National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center, emphasized that it is easy to accidentally pick and eat toxic wild vegetables and poisonous mushrooms in spring. Poisonous celery, hook and kiss, etc. look like edible plants, but are prone to poisoning. The public should pay attention to distinguishing it. In addition, the risk of microbial pollution is intensified with the increase of temperature, and problems such as cross-contamination of raw and cooked foods and improper storage of refrigerators are prominent.

Bai Li calls on the public to implement the "five key points of food safety" after entering the summer to avoid the risks of foodborne diseases, including keeping clean, raw and cooked, boiled thoroughly, safe temperature, safe water and ingredients.

"Don't pick wild vegetables and mushrooms, and do not leave leftovers in the refrigerator for too long. You must heat them thoroughly before eating. You must clean the refrigerator regularly and wipe the inner wall, partition and sealing strips with warm water and detergent." Bai Li reminds that in case of symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc., you must stop eating suspicious food immediately and go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible.

The Qingming Festival, May Day and Dragon Boat Festival are coming soon, with the increase in public outdoor activities, travel and reunion of relatives and friends. Experts call on the public to improve their awareness of disease prevention, pay attention to their own and their family’s health, and be the first person responsible for their own health.

Xi Jingjing, spokesperson of the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention and deputy director of the General Department, said that in order to widely disseminate health protection knowledge and enhance public awareness of disease control, the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention will introduce infectious disease prevention and control situations and popular science knowledge to the public in every press conference this year in combination with the law of seasonal alternation.