In 2023, India achieved wild poliovirus-free certification in 2014 but maintains surveillance using Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance. The minimum stool sample adequacy criterion for AFP surveillance is:
- A One stool sample collected within 48 hours of onset of paralysis
- B Two stool samples collected ≥24 hours apart, both within 14 days of paralysis onset, each ≥8 g, arriving in cold chain ✓
- C Two stool samples collected ≥24 hours apart, within 7 days of paralysis onset
- D Single stool sample of ≥10 g collected within 7 days of onset
Correct answer: B. Two stool samples collected ≥24 hours apart, both within 14 days of paralysis onset, each ≥8 g, arriving in cold chain
Explanation
WHO-NPSP AFP surveillance standards require two stool specimens collected at least 24 hours apart, both within 14 days of the onset of paralysis, each of at least 8 grams (roughly a marble-sized amount), maintained in cold chain (2–8°C) during transport to the designated laboratory. Adequacy rate of ≥80% of all AFP cases with two adequate stool specimens is a key surveillance performance indicator for polio-free certification maintenance.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.