One Year Surveillance Data of Acute Flaccid Paralysis at Bahwal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur

Objective: To find out the demographic characteristics and analyze the stool culture results of the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases presenting at Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur during the year 2005. Methodology: It is a simple observational study conducted at Department of Pediatrics and EPI centre in Pediatric outpatient Department Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. Study was conducted from January 2005 to December 2005. All the AFP cases presenting at Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur during the year 2005 were included. The data of these cases was analyzed regarding the demographic characteristics and stool culture results. Results: In 73 cases of AFP presenting during the year 2005 male to female ratio was 1:1 while rural to urban ratio was 2.9:1. In 71(97%) of the cases stool samples were sent for poliovirus isolation. In 64(90%) stool samples no virus was isolated. Enterovirus was isolated in 6(8.5%) stool samples. In one stool sample, vaccine poliovirus was isolated. In two cases stools could not be sent; one out of these two expired while the other one was already notified from another district. Conclusion: Active surveillance of all AFP cases is mandatory to get the Polio eradicated. In this way all the cases of Poliomyelitis can be picked up and necessary measures can be taken.