Guidance

Acute flaccid paralysis: investigating and reporting a case

Information on the steps required to report and investigate a case of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and acute flaccid myelitis (AFM).

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 19 December 2018
• Last updated: 3 December 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 3 December 2025

     Updated survey link.

  2. 21 August 2025

     Updated landing page to reflect updated reporting.

  3. 21 August 2025

     Updated introduction, information about how to report and contact details.

  4. 9 April 2025

     Updated information on notification regulations.

  5. 15 November 2022

     Updated 'How to report a case of acute flaccid paralysis or acute flaccid myelitis'.

  6. 22 October 2021

     Updated 'How to report and investigate a case of AFP or AFM'.

  7. 19 December 2018

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

How to report a case of acute flaccid paralysis or acute flaccid myelitis

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Details

This document is intended for healthcare professionals who are investigating a case of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) or acute flaccid myelitis (AFM).

The document covers:

• AFP/AFP case definition
• aims of surveillance
• steps required to report and investigate a case, including the enhanced surveillance survey
• specimen collection and laboratory testing
• relevant contact details