Epidemiological Profile of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in the Lomami Province from 2018 to 2022

Introduction: The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing an outbreak of vaccine-derived poliovirus, yet the Lomami Province remained unaffected until the end of the first quarter of 2023. This study describes the epidemiological profile of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) in this province. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary surveillance data on AFP cases from 2018 to 2022. Results: A total of 429 AFP cases were recorded in 16 health zones in Lomami Province, with a detection rate of 4.1 cases per 100,000 children under 15 years. The median age of cases was 3 years (range: 1 - 20 years). Children’s health was a major concern, as those aged 12 to 59 months accounted for 67.1% of cases, and 50.4% were male. Onset was marked by fever in 78.2% of cases, and 74.1% presented with progressive paralysis over three days. Paralysis affected both legs in 76.2% of cases but was asymmetric in 20%. The majority of cases came from the Mulumba and Makota health zones, with peaks observed in the third quarter of 2018 and the second quarter of 2022. Conclusion: AFP cases mainly affect children aged 12 to 59 months, with symptoms dominated by fever and bilateral leg paralysis. Strengthening public health surveillance is crucial to preventing the re-emergence of poliovirus through effective vaccination strategies.