Objective To analyze the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of infectious diseases among the primary and secondary school students in Songjiang District, Shanghai, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of infectious diseases in schools.

Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the types and numbers of infectious diseases among students in Songjiang District from 2018 to 2022. Furthermore, the incidence, constituent ratios and incidence precedence of infectious diseases were calculated simultaneously.

Results A total of 5 543 cases of student infectious diseases were reported in Songjiang District from 2018 to 2022, involving 17 types of infectious diseases, with an annual incidence rate of 11.38‰. The reported infectious diseases were mainly respiratory infectious diseases (77.72%), followed by intestinal infections (21.88%). Chickenpox, influenza, and hand-foot-mouth disease were the top three infectious diseases according to the incidence rate, with a total of 3 966 cases reported, accounting for 71.55% of the total cases. More male cases were reported than females with a gender ratio of 1.44∶1. Infectious diseases were most prevalent among students aged between 6~<13 years (4 383 cases, accounting for 79.07%). The distribution of infectious diseases among students showed two peaks: from November to December and April to May. Jiuting Town, Xinqiao Town, and Chedun Town were the top three subdistricts (towns) in terms of incidence rate.

Conclusion The situation of infectious disease prevention and control among the primary and secondary school students in Songjiang District is severe, and monitoring and prevention of infectious diseases among students should be strengthened, especially respiratory infectious diseases.