Epidemiological analysis on public health emergency events at schools in Hebei province in 2017

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics on public health emergency events at schools in Hebei province in 2017. Methods Data from the database in Public Health Emergency Management Information System of "China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention" were collected from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. In Hebei province, 55 public health emergencies (excluding unclassified ones) were reported, including 1 307 cases. Descriptive epidemiology method was used to analyze the data of public health emergency events at schools in Hebei province in 2017. Results In 2017, there were 30 public health emergency events at schools in Hebei province, with 1 176 cases and no death case. Eighteen events (60.00%) occurred in rural areas and 12 (40.00%) in urban areas. There were two peaks of emergency events: October to December (22 events) and March to June (8 events). All emergency events were caused by infectious diseases, including 20 events of varicella, 6 events of influenza, 2 events each of mumps and tuberculosis. Conclusions Public health emergency events tended to occur in rural and township schools. Prevention of respiratory infectious diseases is the key to control public health emergency events at schools. Key words: Students; Outbreak; Epidemic; Epidemiology