Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance system in Lebanon: a teaching case-study

Abstract

Lebanon has been declared polio-free since 2002. In 2003, following an imported polio case, national campaigns succeeded to contain the virus with no further cases. Since 2013, the risk of poliovirus importation became concrete. Several risk factors linked to the Syrian crisis were illustrated including wild poliovirus type 1 outbreak in Syria in 2013-2014, huge Syrian population influx into Lebanon due to insecurity, and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak in Syria in 2017. Hence, there is continuous need to enhance Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance to timely detect any imported poliovirus for the implementation of needed response. The goal of the case study is to build the capacity of Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) residents and other health professionals in the area of AFP reporting and prepare health care staff to any polio importation into the country. This case study is can be administered in 2-3 hours.