Epidemiological analysis on acute flaccid paralysis cases in Guangxi in 2005

Objective The present analysis was made to study the working status of the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance system in Guangxi in 2005 for better APF case surveillance and consolidation of the current poliomyelitis-free environment. Methods Descriptive epidemiological method was used for analyzing the surveillance data on AFP in Guangxi in 2005. Results 307 cases of Guangxi were reported in 2005, of which 45 cases were diagnosed non-AFP and 262 were diagnosed AFP. Based on the laboratory test results and diagnosis by expert diagnostic teams, 260 cases were ruled out as non-polio cases while only 2 cases were clinically diagnosed poliomyelitis. The reported incidence of non-polio among children under 15 years old was 2.40/lakh, while in 82.70% of the counties the reported incidence of AFP was above 1.00/lakh. The collection rate of adequate stool specimens was 90.50%. 12 cases were isolated poliomyelitis vaccine virus, the isolated positive rate being 4.62%. 25 cases were isolated other enterovirus, the isolated positive rate being 9.62%. All of the indexes of AFP surveillance system reached the standard. The reporting rate at the first consultation was 76.72%, but the rate was only 36.46% in rural areas. 8.01% cases were not whole-range immunized, as the zero-dose children constituted 2.67% of the total cases. Conclusion It is highly required that the routine immunization be strengthened and the sensitivity of AFP surveillance and the reporting rate at the first consultation be improved in rural areas of Guangxi.