Poliomyelitis, Paralytic

1990 Case Definition

Clinical case definition

Acute onset of a flaccid paralysis of one or more limbs with decreased or absent tendon reflexes in the affected limbs, without other apparent cause, and without sensory or cognitive loss (as reported by a physician)

Case classification

Probable: a case that meets the clinical case definition

Confirmed: a case that meets the clinical case definition and in which the patient has a neurologic deficit 60 days after onset of initial symptoms, has died, or has unknown follow-up status

Comment

All suspected cases of paralytic poliomyelitis are reviewed by a panel of expert consultants before final classification occurs. Only confirmed cases are included in Table I in the MMWR. Suspected cases are enumerated in a footnote to the MMWR table.

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