Alaskan Dogs Save Hundreds from Diphtheria Epidemic in Pioneering Medical Breakthrough in 1925
A diphtheria epidemic was prevented in Alaskan village Teller by a heroic team of dogs who quarantined the sick and kept it from spreading, saving countless lives in 1925.
Dr. Curtis Welch checked on a severely ill three-year-old patient at a tiny hospital in Alaska on January 20, 1925, and discovered a thick, slimy membrane covering the child's throat. The alarming finding led to a massive vaccination campaign that would eventually prevent a devastating diphtheria epidemic in the region, thanks in part to the heroic efforts of Alaskan sled dogs who were used as couriers to deliver vaccines across the vast wilderness. These dedicated canine heroes played a crucial role in saving countless lives during this public health crisis. Their bravery and sacrifice have become an enduring testament to their remarkable spirit and loyalty.
