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On This Day in 1979: The Eradication of Smallpox Is Declared
December 30, 2020 at 02:49 PM EST
By WeatherBug's Christopher Smith
On this day in 1979, smallpox was eradicated, making it one of the biggest public health victories in history.
Smallpox is only one of two eradicated diseases to date. So, what is smallpox and how was it declared eradicated?
Smallpox is a contagious disease caused by the variola virus. The virus can be spread through either infected aerosols traveling through the air or contaminated items such as clothing and bedding.
Nearly two weeks after being exposed and infected with the virus, flu-like symptoms begin to develop before a rash appears a couple days later. The rash usually starts in the face, hands, and arms before spreading to the backside. Ulcers also begin to appear in the nose and mouth and release the virus into the body.
There are two types of smallpox. One type, variola minor, is more rare, but much less dangerous, with a mortality rate of around 1%. The more common variola major is extremely dangerous and has a mortality rate around a striking 30%. Even if one survives smallpox, scars, especially upon the face, are usually left with the person.
Smallpox has a very long history, believed to have origins from over 3,000 years ago. However, in 1967, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an intense plan to vaccinate and achieve high levels of immunization across the world. The last case of spread smallpox occurred in 1977 and by 1979 vaccination for almost everyone was recommended to be stopped by the WHO.
On December 9, 1979 the WHO declared smallpox was eradicated and it was declared one of the most successful global public health actions.
Source: who.int
Smallpox is only one of two eradicated diseases to date. So, what is smallpox and how was it declared eradicated?
Smallpox is a contagious disease caused by the variola virus. The virus can be spread through either infected aerosols traveling through the air or contaminated items such as clothing and bedding.
Nearly two weeks after being exposed and infected with the virus, flu-like symptoms begin to develop before a rash appears a couple days later. The rash usually starts in the face, hands, and arms before spreading to the backside. Ulcers also begin to appear in the nose and mouth and release the virus into the body.
There are two types of smallpox. One type, variola minor, is more rare, but much less dangerous, with a mortality rate of around 1%. The more common variola major is extremely dangerous and has a mortality rate around a striking 30%. Even if one survives smallpox, scars, especially upon the face, are usually left with the person.
Smallpox has a very long history, believed to have origins from over 3,000 years ago. However, in 1967, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an intense plan to vaccinate and achieve high levels of immunization across the world. The last case of spread smallpox occurred in 1977 and by 1979 vaccination for almost everyone was recommended to be stopped by the WHO.
On December 9, 1979 the WHO declared smallpox was eradicated and it was declared one of the most successful global public health actions.
Source: who.int