Background Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is a sudden onset of paralysis or weakness in any part of the body in a child <15 years of age. It is caused by both infectious and non-infectious agents. The Wild Poliovirus is the most common infectious cause of AFP in children <5 years of age. There is no known medical treatment other than vaccination for prevention. The epidemiology of non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) remains largely unexplored in West Africa including the Gambia. This study aims to describe the characteristics of patients reported with AFP in Western Region One of the Gambia, between 2018 and 2022 and evaluate the AFP surveillance using the WHO-recommended indicators.

Methods The study employed a retrospective records review of the AFP surveillance data of Western Region One from 2018 to 2022 recorded in the national AFP surveillance database. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.

Results A total of 35 cases of AFP were reported within Western Region One from 2018 to 2022. 64% (23/35) were males and 43% (15/35) were below 5 years of age. The non-polio AFP reporting target (1/100,000 population aged <15 years per year) was achieved throughout the five years. All AFP cases had adequate stool samples. 8 confirmed cases of (NPEVs) were reported and 56% (20/35) of the cases had up to five doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine. The lowest (14%) number of cases was reported in 2020, during which no case was reported between February and August.

Conclusion The AFP surveillance system is sensitive. All reported cases were investigated, and two stool samples were collected from each case, at least 24 hours between stool collection and within 14 days after the onset of paralysis. Active AFP searches should be strengthened to improve case detection in the region and health workers should be trained on AFP surveillance indicators.