Surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in Australia, 1995-97. Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit.

OBJECTIVE

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in Australia as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) certification process for polio eradication in the Western Pacific region.

METHODS

Active monthly AFP surveillance through the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, from March 1995 to December 1997.

RESULTS

Based on 80 cases, the reported overall rate of AFP was 0.73 per 10(5) children < 15 years (below the expected 1 per 10(5)). The major causes of AFP were Guillain-Barré syndrome (51%) and transverse myelitis (19%). According to the WHO virological classification, there was no case of poliomyelitis, 37.5% were 'non-polio' and 62.5% cases were 'polio compatible' due to inadequate stool testing and follow-up. However, case review by an expert panel enabled 95% to be classified as 'non-polio'.

CONCLUSION

Australia must improve AFP surveillance to confirm absence of wild poliovirus. Paediatricians can help Australia meet its certification requirements and contribute to the global eradication effort by reporting and investigating all cases of AFP.