LESSONS LEARNED: Smallpox Eradication

Smallpox, which has existed for thousands of years, halted in 1977, with the last endemic case recorded in Somalia. In1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared smallpox the first disease to have been eradicated globally. This ancient disease comes from the variola virus, which is contagious and spreads through bodily fluids. An infected person starts feeling fatigued and develops a high fever. Later, the virus produces a rash (characteristic of smallpox) that usually appears on the face, arms, and legs. These spots fill up with fluid and pus; they then form a crust, which dries up and falls off. In the 60s, 2 million people died every year and about 30% of those infected were killed. Those who survived suffered deep scars and/or blindness. Why was the quest to eradicate this fatal disease successful? -Political commitment and strong leadership between WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -Leadership in individual countries with an individual who led the eradication effort -Frequent field trips to review progress in individual countries -The use of existing healthcare systems, which forced many countries to improve their health services -Publicity to generate funds and support -The discovery that immunization programs could vaccinate people with more than one vaccination at a time -The distinctive rash of smallpox (which made diagnosis easier) Currently, Smallpox no longer occurs naturally due to eradication. However, the remaining stacks of the virus are located in laboratories. Even decades after eradication, funds are still raised for precautionary measures in the case of smallpox's threat as an agent of biological warfare.

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