Objective  To explore epidemiological characteristics of public health emergencies caused by varicella epidemics in Jiangsu province for providing evidences to develop strategies on prevention and control of the infectious disease.

  Methods  Data on varicella epidemic-related public health emergencies occurred in Jiangsu province from 2014 through 2018 were collected from National Public Health Emergency Report and Management Information System and analyzed with descriptive statistics.

  Results  Totally 499 varicella epidemics, involving 13 177 cases, were reported in the province during the 5-year period, with an increasing trend in yearly incidence rate. Two seasonal peaks of varicella incidence from April to June and from November to January of the next year were observed. Major part of the reported varicella cases were 5 – 10 year-old children and the male to female ratio of the cases was 1.19 : 1. Significantly higher number of varicella incidents and cases were reported in the southern region than in other regions of Jiangsu province and there was a significant regional difference in varicella attack rate in the province (χ² = 247.4, P < 0.01). For the 349 vericella epidemics occurred in schools, 69.9% and 18.0% took place in primary schools and kindergartens, respectively.

  Conclusion  In Jiangsu province during 2014 – 2018, varicella epidemic-related public health emergencies increased yearly and mainly occurred in winter-spring season among 5 – 10 years old children and the epidemics were more frequently occurred in southern regions of the province.