Abstract: Objective To describe the characteristics and trend of public health emergencies in Shijiazhuang,the capitalcity of Hebei province,and to provide information for public health response.Methods Data were collected from public health surve illance system through 2004 to 2009.Results A total of 204 pub lic hea lth emergency events occurred and were investigated during the 6 years,which involved in a total of 6236 individual cases with 22 deaths.A total of 4 972 individual cases with 2 deaths occurred in 161(79%)outbreaks of communicable diseases.A total of 792 individual cases with 10 deaths occurred in 20 food poisoning events.There were 162 events occurred in public schools with 85%(138)in prmiary and secondary schools.These public health emerg ency peaked sign ificantly in May and December annua lly.Conclusion The outbreaks of infectious diseases in prmiary and middle schools and food poisoning events are major challenges of the public health emergencies.The significant seasonal peaks found in this study highlight that a sensitive early warning system should bedeveloped to provide vigilant a lert in responding to public health emergency.