Epidemiology of public health emergencies in Jingzhou, Hubei, 2006-2008

ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution and characteristics of public health emergencies in Jingzhou and provide evidence for the prevention and control of public health emergencies. MethodsDescriptive epidemiological methods were adopted to analyze the public health emergencies in Jingzhou form 2006 to 2008. ResultsA total of 37 public health emergencies were reported in Jingzhou with 1213 cases and 10 deaths occurred. Infectious disease outbreaks constituted major part of the public health emergencies, accounting for 81.08%. Two peaks were observed in each year, the first peak was during April to May with 16 cases (43.24%); the second one was during October-November (21.62%). The emergencies occurring in school (26) accounted for 70.27% of total events with 888 cases and without deaths. ConclusionStudents were the major population affected by the public health emergencies, which were mainly infectious disease outbreaks occurring in school.