Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and trends of public health emergencies at schools in Shanghai, aiming to provide scientific evidence and related strategies for efficient prevention and control.
Methods Descriptive epidemiological method was utilized to analyze the data of public health emergencies at schools in Shanghai retrieved from the Emergency Public Reporting System during 2005-2013．
Results It reported 215 public health emergencies at schools in Shanghai during 2005-2013, including 182 infectious disease events, 18 mass vaccination response events, and 15 food-poisoning events, accounting for 84.7%, 9.1%, and 7.0%, respectively. The peaks of infectious disease events at schools occurred in May, November, and December, while mass vaccination response events only occurred in September and October. There was a significant difference in monthly distribution of emergency events (P<0.001). The public health emergencies were most common in primary schools and mainly composed of such respiratory diseases as varicelle and epidemic parotitis mumps.
Conclusion The number of public health emergencies at schools first increased and then decreased in Shanghai during 2005-2013. Respiratory diseases take a large part of emergencies at schools. The public health emergencies occur frequently in primary schools．
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