Aspects Of Arctic Epidemiology

Few human pathogens found in arctic populations are localized to this geographic region, although some parasites may have a restricted distribution coinciding with that of their intermediate hosts. The variety of infectious agents is more limited than in temperate or tropical climates. With respect to spread, short chain person-to-person transmission appears more important than dissemination by vector or vehicle. The age distribution of cases and the clinical response of a particular ethnic group to a given disease can usually be explained on the basis of past exposure. Under conditions of normal arctic living, there is little evidence that low environmental temperatures directly affect the ability of the human host to react to antigenic stimuli. Rather, in the Eskimo village, cold is important because of its indirect effect on the way people live. Bibliography. Q & A.