A brief historical overview of emerging infectious disease response in China and the need for a One Health approach in future responses

In 1952, under the guidance of Chairman Mao, China's central government established an epidemic prevention system that focused on the principle of “putting prevention first” [1]. This approach greatly strengthened public health infrastructure and capacity in China. Chinese society has changed dramatically over the last 60 years, characterized by rapid economic and population growth. Intensification of animal production to accommodate population growth and increasing personal wealth have driven what appears to be a seemingly unceasing series of emerging infectious disease (EID) events [2]. The emergence of pandemic strains of influenza from high risk areas of China seems an almost seasonal occurrence and, in the wake of this and a number of other globally important public health emergencies, China is moving from a passive approach to EID surveillance and response to a more proactive one. This change has not occurred spontaneously; it is a process that has occurred through a number of distinct stages. China, however, appears to be in a transitional period again.