Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP)

What is Acute Flaccid Paralysis? 

Acute Flaccid Paralysis or AFP is a clinical syndrome, which refers to a collection of signs and symptoms, instead of a diagnosis. AFP is defined by the acute onset of weakness or paralysis with reduced muscle tone in children.

There are many infectious and non-infectious causes of AFP.  Polio, caused by the wild poliovirus (the natural circulating strain) is one of the causes of AFP.  In line with the worldwide campaign to eradicate polio, there is a global monitoring process where clinical cases of AFP are identified and investigated to depict whether these cases are a direct result of the wild poliovirus.