Acute flaccid paralysis in ninewa province in north of Iraq

Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) is a clinical manifestation characterized by weakness or paralysis and reduced muscle tone without other obvious cause (e.g., trauma). This abnormal condition may be caused by disease or by trauma affecting the nerves associated with the involved muscles.,, among those below 15 y old, or any person of any age with paralytic illness if poliomyelitis is suspected. AFP surveillance is a key strategy in the polio eradication initiative adapted by WHO in 1988. The aim of the study was to know some clinical, epidemiological aspects and the common causes of the reported cases of AFP in children below 15 year at Ninewa in 10 years period from 2004 to 2013. Case series study was conducted among children < 15 y by by the epidemiological surveillance unit in Ninewa during the last 10 years, from January 2004 to the end of December 2013, and there are about 371 cases that had been reported. A total of 371 cases of AFP (199 male ,172 female) aged from <1 y to <15 y was reported by surveillance system between 2004 to 2013 those below 5 y accounted for 61.7%.327 from 371 receive 3 doses or more of oral polio vaccine( opv) (88.1%) ,while 3(0.8%) not receive. The highest number seen in the months of April and December.