Epidemiological Analysis on Acute Flaccid Paralysis Cases in 2004 in Qianxinan Prefecture

Objetive This study was conducted to find out the epidemiological characteristics of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Qianxinan prefecture to provide a scientific basis for the eradication of AFP，Methods Epidemiological analysis was made on the data of AFP eases reported in 2004．Results 67 cases of AFP were reported in 2004 in Qianxinan prefecture，of whom 20 cases were diagnosed as non-AFP by Guizhou Provincial Poliomyelitis Diagnosis Group and the National AFP Specialist In 47 AFP cases．There were 7 cases diagnosed as clinically definite cases，of whom 2 cases were found to be caused by vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPV)．Except adequate stool collection rate, all other indices met the standards．The rate of reporting at the first consultation Was 55.32％，with the rate being 25％ in rural areas．An overt aggregation tendency was seen in Zhengfeng county as to onset and distribution of the epidemic．Children who were not fuUy immunized accounted for 40.43％，with zero-dose children constituting 19.15％ of total cases．Conclusion There do exist serious problems with immunization rate and，sensitivity and specificity of the surveillance systems in county an township hospitals．Scheduled immunization iS to he strengthened tO improve the immunization rate of poliomyelitis vaccine．In addition，technical training of medical staff in the facilities at the level of county and township should be taken seriously to improve the rate of reporting at the first consultation．Sensitivity and specificity of AFP surveillance remain tO be bettered further．