Public health emergencies occurring in schools in Taizhou city, Zhejiang province,2004-2010

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of public health emergencies occurring in schools in Taizhou from 2004 to 2010 and provide scientific evidences for developing prevention and control strategies. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the incidence data of school public health emergencies in Taizhou obtained from national public health emergency reporting system during this period. Results During 2004-2010, eighty six school public health emergencies were reported, accounting for 68.8% of the total. In these public health emergencies, 3373 disease cases and 3 deaths were reported, and disease outbreaks and food poisoning events accounted for the largest proportion(80.23% and 8.14% respectively). Fifty five(63.95%)public health emergencies occurred in child care settings, primary schools and middle schools in rural area. Conclusion Schools are the places where public health emergency is prone to occur, especially in primary schools and schools in rural schools. It is necessary to strengthen the cooperation between educational department and health department and carry out the communicable disease prevention and control measures in schools.