RESUMO
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of school varicella and varicella public health emergency event (PHEE) in Yunnan Province, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of varicella in schools. Methods The descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the reported PHEE of varicella in students and varicella in schools in Yunnan Province from 2018 to 2020. Results From 2018 to 2020, a total of 69,391 cases of varicella were reported in students in Yunnan Province, accounting for 71.48% (69 391 / 97 080) of the total cases in the province, and the annual average reported incidence rate was 255.56/100 000 (69 391/27.1522 million). The time distribution of the incidence showed double peaks, which were from May to July (26.48%) and October to January of the following year (53.88%). The incidence rates of different schools from high to low were 301.74/100 000 for primary schools (34 816/11.538 3 million), 250.43/100 000 for kindergarten (11 526/4.6024 million), 202.74/100 000 for middle school (16 779/8.276 1 million), and 119.07/100 000 for others (3 257/2.735 4 million). The age distribution was mainly concentrated in 5-9 years old, accounting for 39.81% (27 625/69 391). Varicella PHEE accounted for 25.64% (180/702）of the province's PHEE in the same period, school varicella PHEE accounted for 100% of varicella PHEE, and the attack rate was 3.38% (6 566/194 260). The sources of reported varicella PHEE were hospitals 45.40% (58/123), epidemic analysis 36.78% (44/123), schools 13.22% (15/123), and others 4.60% (6/123). Conclusion The incidence of varicella in schools in Yunnan Province is high, which is harmful to students. PHEE reported in rural schools are relatively lagging behind. On the basis of doing two doses of varicella vaccination, emergency prevention should be focused on epidemic seasons, lower grade schools and rural schools. The source of infection shall be controlled and managed in time to prevent the outbreak of the epidemic. It is recommended that varicella should be included in the management of Class C infectious diseases.