China urges use of high-tech to bolster early warnings for infectious diseases

The National Disease Control and Prevention Administration has called for deploying big data, artificial intelligence and cloud computing to bolster infectious disease early warning capabilities, according to a regulation released on Monday.

The trial regulation, which takes effect immediately, aims at improving the nation's early detection and warning systems for infectious diseases.

It requests supporting the use of digital technologies to determine warning thresholds, establish epidemic database and related algorithm model libraries to build a multi-trigger and smart early warning system.

The guideline also stresses providing necessary personnel funding, equipment, infrastructure and policy support, as well as strengthening cross-department cooperation to facilitate early warning operations.

"The warning information should be clear, accurate, authoritative and professional, and pay attention to protecting personal privacy," it added.

China aims to build an infectious early warning mechanism featuring multi-trigger points, swift response and high efficiency by 2030, to accurately and promptly detect novel and key infectious disease epidemics.