Interpretation of the "Notice on Doing a Good Job in the Prevention and Control of Key Infectious Diseases such as the May Day Holiday in 2024 and the Spring and Summer Novel Coronavirus Infection" interpretation Q&A

"Notice on Doing a Good Job in the Prevention and Control of the Epidemic of Key Infectious Diseases such as the May Day Holiday in 2024 and the Spring and Summer Novel Coronavirus Infection" Interpretation Q&A ↓

01

What is the background of the "Notice on Doing a Good Job in the Prevention and Control of Key Infectious Diseases such as the May Day Holiday in 2024 and the Spring and Summer Novel Coronavirus Infection"?

May coincides with the alternation of spring and summer, and some mosquito-borne infectious diseases and intestinal infectious diseases enter the high incidence season. The increase in mobility and gathering activities during the May Day holiday may increase the risk of the spread of infectious diseases such as the new crown. In order to implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, the Epidemic Prevention and Control Group of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council issued the "Notice on Doing a Good Job in the Prevention and Control of Key Infectious Diseases such as the May Day Holiday and the Spring and Summer Novel Coronavirus Infection in 2024" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"), guiding all localities and departments to attach great importance to the prevention and control of infectious diseases during the May Day holiday and the spring and summer holidays. We will continue to make unremitting efforts to steadily implement various prevention and control measures, continue to maintain the overall stability of the epidemic situation, and create a good environment for economic and social development.

02

What is the epidemic situation of key infectious diseases such as the "May Day" holiday and the new crown in the mainland in spring and summer?

At present, the epidemic situation of infectious diseases in the mainland is generally stable. The global epidemic caused by the JN.1 variant of the new coronavirus has passed its peak and dropped to a low level, and the new crown epidemic in mainland China continues to maintain a low-level wave epidemic trend, but the new crown virus is still mutating, and the epidemic still has a certain degree of recurrence. The prevention and control of some infectious diseases in mainland China is facing new situations and new characteristics, the influenza epidemic in some areas has not yet fallen back to the level of the same period in previous years, the pertussis epidemic has shown a rapid growth trend, the number of reported cases of hand, foot and mouth disease has increased significantly, and the common epidemic of multiple diseases has become the norm. Dengue fever and measles have rebounded in many countries and regions around the world, and the risk of overseas epidemics being imported to the mainland has increased.

03

What are the specific measures for the prevention and control of infectious diseases during the May Day holiday and in spring and summer?

The Circular highlights seven major measures. The first is to strengthen epidemic prevention and control at ports. Pay close attention to the global epidemic situation of key infectious diseases such as new crown, dengue fever, measles, and malaria, implement measures such as temperature monitoring, medical inspections, epidemiological investigations, and medical investigations for inbound personnel, do a good job in sampling nucleic acid testing of inbound personnel, and strengthen health education for inbound and outbound personnel. The second is to strengthen monitoring, early warning, investigation and handling. Continue to implement multi-channel surveillance of the new crown and multi-pathogen surveillance of respiratory infectious diseases, strengthen monitoring and early warning based on the epidemic characteristics of infectious diseases in spring and summer and local conditions, and carry out comprehensive analysis and judgment of the epidemic situation. Investigate and deal with the epidemic in a timely manner after it occurs. The third is to strengthen medical treatment of infectious diseases. Prepare for medical treatment, strengthen the training of medical personnel, strengthen the management of medical services, strengthen the implementation of the first diagnosis responsibility system, and select experienced medical personnel to be on duty to ensure the smooth and orderly medical services. Fourth, strengthen vaccination. Focusing on the core goal of the national immunization program, the vaccination rate is not less than 90%, strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of the vaccination rate, and conscientiously organize and carry out the work of missing vaccinations. Promote the timely and full vaccination of school-age children with vaccines from the national immunization program, and continue to promote the vaccination of key populations with new coronavirus vaccines containing antigenic components of the XBB variant. Fifth, strengthen epidemic prevention and control in key institutions. Guide childcare institutions and schools to implement measures such as morning and afternoon inspections, health education, environmental disinfection, and tracking and registration of absenteeism due to illness. Guide elderly care institutions and social welfare institutions to strengthen the management of visits by outsiders, the elderly and children returning home and to hospitals, and reduce the risk of the introduction and spread of the epidemic. Sixth, strengthen the prevention and control of the epidemic in travel and tourism activities. According to the changes in passenger flow, the passenger terminal will increase or open the entry and exit stations and security inspection channels in a timely manner, and guide passengers to enter and exit the station in an orderly manner and wait for the train (ship and plane). Tourist attractions can dynamically divert passenger flow in a timely manner to avoid large-scale crowd gathering in indoor venues. Accommodation and catering service units have strengthened food hygiene and safety management. Seventh, strengthen publicity and education. Carry out targeted publicity on prevention and control knowledge and health education, guide travelers to understand the epidemic situation of infectious diseases in their destinations in advance, and advocate that people with respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough avoid participating in group activities or going to crowded places.

04

How can the public do a good job of personal protection during the May Day holiday and spring and summer?

The first is to actively get vaccinated. Vaccination is the most economical and effective means of preventing and controlling infectious diseases, and school-age children should be vaccinated with the national immunization program in a timely and full manner, and at the same time, key groups such as the elderly should be given priority to be vaccinated with new coronavirus vaccines containing XBB variant antigens.

The second is to pay attention to the dynamics of the epidemic. It is recommended that the public pay close attention to the epidemic situation of infectious diseases and the prevention and control information tips issued by relevant departments in their daily life, especially before traveling, take precautions in advance and make reasonable travel arrangements.

The third is to do a good job of health monitoring. In daily work and life, especially before travel and after returning, self-health monitoring should be done, and effective prevention and treatment measures should be taken in time when health problems are found. If you have symptoms such as fever, cough and diarrhea before the holiday, it is recommended to postpone your travel plans, and seek medical attention in time if you have abnormal symptoms after returning. During this period, take personal protection to avoid spreading the disease to your family, especially your children.

Fourth, do a good job of travel protection. Appropriate personal protective equipment can be prepared, protective measures such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and preventing mosquito bites can be implemented during the journey, and attention should be paid to food and drinking water hygiene. If you have symptoms such as fever, cough, or diarrhea, you should stop traveling and seek medical attention promptly.

Fifth, maintain a healthy lifestyle. Always maintain a healthy lifestyle and good personal hygiene habits, reasonable diet, balanced nutrition, scientific exercise, regular work and rest, and improve self-immunity.

05

What are the requirements of the Circular to ensure the implementation of various prevention and control measures?

The first is to tighten and consolidate the "quadripartite responsibility" of party committees and governments, departments, organs, enterprises, institutions, and individuals at all levels in epidemic prevention and control, normalize and institutionalize good mechanisms and good practices in the prevention and control of the new crown epidemic, continue to adhere to joint prevention and control and multi-disease prevention, and strengthen the transition from normal to emergency. The second is to strengthen the "May Day" holiday on duty, establish and improve the shift rest system, and do a good job in ensuring the supply of medical supplies. Strengthen the deployment of prevention and control of infectious diseases in spring and summer in light of local conditions, focus on key links, highlight the key points of prevention and control, and report in a timely manner, respond quickly, and deal with the epidemic in a timely manner once it is discovered. The third is to carry out a comprehensive self-examination of epidemic prevention and control work, promptly investigate the risk points and weak links of prevention and control, make up for shortcomings and loopholes in a timely manner, resolutely prevent clusters of epidemics caused by poor work and poor management, and effectively protect the lives and health of the people.

(Source: official website of the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention)