Abstract:

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of public health emergencies in Hefei for scientific evidence to respond to prevention and control of such emergencies in the future. Methods The data on the public health emergencies reported in Hefei area between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2020 were initially retrieved from the subsystem of Public Health Emergency Management under the Information System for Disease Prevention and Control in China, and then descriptively analyzed concerning the emergency grades, classification, distribution of areas, places and time. Results In total, 190 emergencies were reported in Hefei from 2011 to 2020, and most of the emergencies were ungraded (61.58%, 117/190). A total of 5 323 cases and 31 deaths were reported. The emergencies were involved in infectious diseases (81.58%, 155/190), followed by food poisoning (9.47%, 18/190). The cases of death caused by environmental factors events was the highest (48.39%, 15/31), followed by occupational poisoning events (22.58%, 7/31). The events of infectious diseases mostly occurred from November to February of following year (72.90%, 113/155), and food poisoning was most reported between May and July (55.56%, 10/18). In the 8 incidents of occupational poisoning, 4 occurred in September. From 2011 to 2020, the emergencies were reported in all counties (cities and districts) in Hefei. Baohe District had the highest reports of emergencies, accounting for 22.11% (42/190) of the total emergencies reported across the city. 56.32% (107/190) of emergencies occurred in schools, in which 50.47% (54/107) were in primary schools. Infectious diseases were the major emergencies in schools (94.39%, 101/107). The top three diseases involved in emergencies in schools were chicken pox, other infections diarrhea and influenza, accounting for 38.31% (41/107), 21.50% (23/107) and 14.02% (15/107), respectively. Conclusion In recent years, infectious disease events are the main types of emergencies in Hefei, and schools are the major places where emergencies occur. Environmental factors and occupational poisoning are the important factors leading to deaths. It is recommended to strengthen the monitoring and management of infectious diseases in schools as well as improve the emergency response capacity and the treatment level of poisoning personnel.

Key words: Public health emergency, Infectious diseases, Food poisoning, School, Hefei City