Acute onset of flaccid paralysis with decreased or absent tendon reflexes
in the affected limbs, in the absence of a more likely alternative
diagnosis.
A2. Laboratory Criteria*
Confirmatory Laboratory Evidence:
Poliovirus detected by sequencing of the capsid region of the genome by
the CDC Poliovirus Laboratory
OR
Poliovirus detected in an appropriate clinical specimen (e.g., stool
[preferred], cerebrospinal fluid, oropharyngeal secretions) using a properly
validated assay^, AND specimen is not available for sequencing by the
CDC Poliovirus Laboratory.
* Note: The categorical labels used here to stratify laboratory evidence
are intended to support the standardization of case classifications for
public health surveillance. The categorical labels should not be used to
interpret the utility or validity of any laboratory test methodology.
^ The Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) provides guidelines on acceptance of
results from labs that are not in GPLN; assays would have to be validated and
approved by GPLN. CDC is part of GPLN.
A3. Epidemiologic Linkage Criteria
N/A
A4. Case Classifications
Confirmed:
Paralytic Poliomyelitis: Meets clinical criteria AND confirmatory
laboratory evidence.
B. Criteria to Distinguish a New Case of Paralytic Poliomyelitis and
Nonparalytic Poliovirus Infection from Reports or Notifications which Should
Not be Enumerated as a New Case for Surveillance
Post-polio syndrome is a condition that can affect survivors of poliovirus
infection decades after recovering from their initial infection. A person with
post-polio syndrome should not be enumerated as a new case.