Abstract: Objective The study was conducted to investigate the distribution and characteristics of public health emergencies in schools of Kunming, providing evidence for the prevention and control of public health emergencies in schools. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were adopted to analyze the public health emergencies in schools of Kunming from 2004 to 2006. Results A total of 122 public health emergencies were reported to have occurred on campus in Kunming city. Infectious diseases had constituted a major part of the public health emergencies, and mumps was the dominating disease followed by chickenpox, and then food poisoning and infectious diarrhea. The peak occurred during March to June and October to December. Conclusion The public health incidents, indicating an upward trend by year, occurred mainly in rural schools, while primary schools in villages having the highest incidence rates. Public health emergencies in schools endanger the students' physical and mental health and safety of their lives. Corresponding prevention and control measures have been proposed based upon the epidemiological analysis.