Immunity Toward Poliovirus Among Alaskan Natives

A study was made of the poliomyelitis morbidity reports to the Alaska Department of Health, comparing the incidence in natives and non-natives. In the period from June 1950-October 1954, sixteen epidemics occurred in urban areas and villages closely associated with the latter, while only two - one major and one minor - were reported in isolated native villages. The morbidity rates for natives were generally much lower than those for non-natives. The data indicated that aboriginal Alaskans were considerably more immune to poliomyelitis than non-natives and that this immunity was more evident in the younger age groups. Tables. Bibliography.