Abstract
In 2018, a raise in the number of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections with reports of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), also referred to as acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), was observed in several parts of the world. AFP/AFM is a neurological disorder, which causes paralysis of the limbs. EV-D68 belongs to the same virus family as poliovirus and is classified as a non-polio (NP)EV.
In the Netherlands, 2 cases of AFP/AFM associated with EV-D68 infection have been reported, 1 of which is described in this article. EV-D68 infection has a biennial endemic circulation. Awareness and knowledge among clinicians about AFP/AFM and enterovirus related paralysis is therefore required. AFP surveillance as part of the polio-eradication campaign was conducted in the Netherlands until 2003. Due to the increase of paralysis associated with NPEVs such as EV-D68, awareness among clinicians and whether AFP/AFM surveillance is necessary should be evaluated. This article describes the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of AFP/AFM, whether active surveillance of AFP/AFM is necessary and
what steps need to be taken to achieve this. Active surveillance will aid policy making regarding the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies of AFP/AFM.
In the Netherlands, 2 cases of AFP/AFM associated with EV-D68 infection have been reported, 1 of which is described in this article. EV-D68 infection has a biennial endemic circulation. Awareness and knowledge among clinicians about AFP/AFM and enterovirus related paralysis is therefore required. AFP surveillance as part of the polio-eradication campaign was conducted in the Netherlands until 2003. Due to the increase of paralysis associated with NPEVs such as EV-D68, awareness among clinicians and whether AFP/AFM surveillance is necessary should be evaluated. This article describes the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of AFP/AFM, whether active surveillance of AFP/AFM is necessary and
what steps need to be taken to achieve this. Active surveillance will aid policy making regarding the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies of AFP/AFM.
| Translated title of the contribution | Acute flaccid paralysis/myelitis: need for active surveillance? |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Pages (from-to) | 17-21 |
| Journal | Tijdschrift voor Infectieziekten |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
