Ecology Of Enteroviruses In The Western Arctic

Serological and virological data obtained by the author, as well as reports previously published by others, show that human enteroviral infections are prevalent, and probably endemic, throughout most of the western American Arctic region. Serological evidence indicates that polioviruses, particularly Type 2, have been endemic in the aboriginal population of Alaska for many years. Here the seasonal epidemiological patterns differ from those of more southern areas, and wintertime epidemics are frequent. It is likely that epidemics of cryptic enteroviral infections have been the rule in the native villages. In the towns and large cities, however, particularly in their non-aboriginal population, the patterns of immunity and infection are more like those of southern areas.