Aim This study is an overview of NPEV investigated during AFP surveillance programs for the period 2010–2017 in Iraq. Methods Stool samples from 4296 AFP cases and 2933 healthy contacts among children less than 15 years of age were processed for virus isolation as a part of AFP surveillance for the Global Polio Eradication Program in Iraq at National Polio Laboratory. NPEV detection was performed by virus isolation on cell culture according to WHO recommendations. Results The NPEV isolation rate was 14% of total AFP cases and 14.5% of healthy contacts. The infection rate was higher in males than females with a male/female ratio of 1.5: 1. The highest NPEV infection rate was observed among the children aged 1-2 years and decrease significantly with increasing age. Residual weakness after 60 days from paralysis onset was reported in 26% and death in 1.5% of AFP cases with positive NPEV isolates. Conclusion The NPEV circulation is common in our environment and may play a role in causing AFP cases especially for younger age groups, NPEV could be isolated from healthy persons and from persons whose clinical findings do not resemble poliomyelitis.
