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Reporting of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Children under 15 years of age: Improving Surveillance, January 2009 -
P Flanagan1, P O'Lorcain1, S Cotter1
1Health Protection Surveillance Centre, 25-27 Middle Gardiner St, Dublin 1.
Insights
This study reviewed Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance in Ireland from 2009-2014. Results indicate potential under-reporting of pediatric AFP cases, though surveillance quality improved over time.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Surveillance
Background:
- Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance is crucial for poliomyelitis monitoring.
- Ireland's expected non-polio AFP rate for children under 15 is 1 per 100,000 population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review AFP cases in Ireland between 2009-2014.
- To compare reported AFP rates with expected incidence.
- To assess the completeness of AFP case investigations.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed all notified AFP cases in children <15 years reported to Irish surveillance units (2009-2014).
- Compared annual reporting rates against the expected incidence.
- Assessed data completeness for case investigations.
Main Results:
- 43 pediatric AFP cases were notified; 35 confirmed.
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) comprised 48.6% of notifications.
- The target AFP rate was met in 2014, but under-reporting was identified between 2009-2013.
- Investigation completeness improved but needs further enhancement.
Conclusions:
- Potential under-reporting of pediatric AFP cases in Ireland occurred between 2009-2013.
- Surveillance data completeness has improved but requires ongoing attention.
Abstract:
Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance, including case investigation and specimen collection is a gold standard method for poliomyelitis surveillance. The expected annual non-polio AFP rate <15 years of age in Ireland is = 1/100 000 population. This study reviewed all cases of AFP reported to the Irish Paediatric Surveillance Unit and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre between January 2009 and December 2014 and compared reporting rates with the expected incidence rate annually. We assessed quality of surveillance data in terms of completeness of investigation for each case reported. Forty-three AFP cases in children <15 years were notified; 35 of which were confirmed. Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) accounted for 48.6% (n=17) of AFP notifications. In 2014, the expected annual AFP target rate was reached. This study identified possible under-reporting of AFP paediatric cases in Ireland between 2009-2013. Completeness of investigations has improved over time, but requires further work.
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