As China prepares for the upcoming five-day May Day holiday starting May 1, the country’s top public health authority has issued a formal warning over growing infectious disease threats, calling for stepped-up public vigilance to curb outbreaks during a period expected to see surges in travel and large-scale public gatherings. In a press briefing held in Beijing on Wednesday, April 22, Xi Jingjing, spokesperson for the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, announced that influenza and rhinovirus transmission across China has followed a steady upward trajectory since the beginning of April 2026.
With warmer spring temperatures shifting toward summer conditions, the authority is also urging heightened awareness of mosquito-borne and intestinal infectious diseases that typically become more active during this seasonal transition. Xi specifically highlighted four diseases as key priorities for precaution: dengue fever, chikungunya fever, norovirus infection, and hand, foot and mouth disease, all of which carry heightened transmission risk when crowds of travelers converge in shared spaces.
Noting that weather patterns during the shift from spring to summer can be highly unpredictable, with sudden shifts in temperature, Xi offered targeted guidance for the public to reduce their risk of illness. She recommended that travelers pack flexible clothing options to adapt to changing conditions, and that all people planning trips check the latest infectious disease activity updates at their destination before departing. Food and water hygiene, she emphasized, is a critical line of defense against intestinal pathogens spread through contaminated consumption.
For travelers and residents engaging in outdoor activities, Xi urged consistent measures to prevent bites from mosquitoes and ticks, which are increasingly active as temperatures rise. She also advised the public to avoid close contact with wild marmots when hiking or visiting natural areas, a precaution designed to reduce the risk of tick-borne or zoonotic disease transmission.
The National Disease Control and Prevention Administration closed its warning with additional public guidance: all residents, particularly caregivers for children and guardians of older adults, should monitor health closely for any signs of infectious disease in the weeks surrounding the holiday. Anyone who develops symptoms consistent with the highlighted diseases is encouraged to seek prompt medical evaluation to prevent further spread and ensure timely care.