Event NameUniversity of Otago, 1974-1975, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection SurveilanceAbstractThis season saw the beginning of a joint venture to study aspects of human biomedical and immunological adaptation to Antarctic isolation. Supported by the NSF of the US with workers from the University of Oklahoma, we are studying the occurrence of respiratory virus infections in people overwintering in Antarctica and the reasons for their rapid loss of resistance to infection under these conditions.
Winterover personnel are initially exposed to colds and other infections brought to Antarctica by summer support and scientific personnel at Scott Base and McMurdo Station. At this time their immunity to these infections is maintained at normal levels. However. At the onset of winter isolation, decline of immunity, often to sub normal levels, occurs. Return to civilisation is often accompanied with an increased frequency of upper respiratory illness.PersonnelAJ Parkinson, Dept of MicrobiologyLocationsPole Station, McMurdo Station, Scott BaseGeolocationPosition:StreetView:&enabled=0&fov=90&heading=0&pitch=0&zoom=6Season1974-1975
