Epidemiological characteristics of public health emergencies in Dandong city,2006-2015

Objective To analyze the characteristics of the public health emergencies in Dandong municipality (Dandong) from 2006 to 2015 and to provide references for making strategies and efficient mechanism of health emergency management.Methods Data on public health emergencies reported in Dandong from 2006 to 2015 were extracted from National Public Health Emergency Management Information System and analyzed with descriptive epidemiology methods.Results Totally 19 public health emergencies were reported during the 10-year period,involving 603 sufferers and 4 deaths.The incidence of public health emergency was high between 2006 and 2007 and then decreased from 2009.No extraordinarily serious or serious public health emergency were reported during the period and 78.95% of all emergencies were common public health emergencies.Although the public health emergencies occurred in all counties or districts of the municipality,more emergencies occurred in coastal or riverside regions and mountainous areas.No public health emergency was reported during May and June of a year and more emergencies were reported during April,August,September,and December of a year.Of the public health emergencies reported,68.42% were food poisonings and the most of the sufferers and deaths were caused by food poisonings.About a half (47.37%) of the reported emergencies occurred in schools,of which,83.33% took place in senior high schools or vocational schools.The average management cost for one public health emergency was 35 100 RMB yuan and the main economic loss attributed to one public health emergency was 50 700 RMB yuan.Conclusion Though the mechanism for public health emergency management is under gradual improvement and the emergency management measures is effective in Dandong municipality,countermeasures to public health emergency,including prevention,education,training,and grassroots capability construction,still need to be implemented.