Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance

HPSC communicates regularly with each paediatric hospital /unit to request and remind clinicians on the need to report all AFP cases in children aged less than 15 years of age. The completed forms are sent to HPSC. Anonymised copies are then subsequently forwarded to the NVRL. HPSC collates the data each year and usually reports to the National Polio elimination Committee. A report may also be provided on the HPSC website and in the Epi-Insight monthly newsletter issued by the HPSC. (Note in 2021, two cases of APF cases were reported with no final diagnosis and no enhanced surveillance forms completed).

Purpose: In Scope: To provide information on children aged less than 15 years of age presenting to Irish hospitals with acute flaccid paralysis. This information is used to ensure that all AFP cases in children are adequately investigated and to out-rule polio as a cause of the paralysis – this is in line with WHO recommendations that all countries should heighten surveillance to ensure that no polio cases are undetected.

Coverage: Children aged less than 15 years of age from all regions of the country.

Case surveillance is monitored on on-going, annual basis.