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Timeline / Citizenship, Services, and Sovereignty / 1952: Polio outbreak affects many Alaska Natives

1952: Polio outbreak affects many Alaska Natives

At Ketchikan, 74 cases of polio are reported to the Alaska Department of Health. The Tsimshian tribe located 15 miles south of Ketchikan is also affected, in communities such as Metlakatla, Alaska. Tribal leaders say that polio vaccine did not reach the community soon enough.

Theme
Epidemics
Region
Northwest Coast

Metlakatla, Alaska

Courtesy Alaska State Library Photograph Collection