The WHO-defined Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance case definition used in the Pulse Polio Programme includes which age group for mandatory reporting?
- A Children below 5 years
- B Individuals below 20 years
- C Children below 15 years ✓
- D All age groups regardless of age
Correct answer: C. Children below 15 years
Explanation
WHO defines AFP surveillance as mandatory for all children below 15 years of age who develop sudden-onset, flaccid (floppy) paralysis of one or more limbs. Any such case must be reported immediately and investigated within 48 hours, with two stool samples collected 24 hours apart within 14 days of paralysis onset for virological testing. Adequate AFP surveillance requires a minimum rate of ≥2 AFP cases per 100,000 children under 15 per year (non-polio AFP rate) to validate surveillance sensitivity.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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