How is smallpox eradicated?

How is smallpox eradicated?

Through vaccination, the disease was eradicated in 1980. However, research for effective vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for smallpox continues in the event it is used as a bioterror weapon. The last naturally occurring case of smallpox was reported in 1977.

WHO smallpox and its Eradication?

The last known natural case was in Somalia in 1977. In 1980 WHO declared smallpox eradicated – the only infectious disease to achieve this distinction. This remains among the most notable and profound public health successes in history.

WHO declared the eradication of smallpox in 1979?

These were smallpox’s last victims. In 1979, a global commission certified that smallpox had been eradicated, and this certification was officially accepted by the 33rd World Health Assembly in 1980.

How was smallpox eradicated in India?

In response to the situation, in 1962 the government of India launched the National Smallpox Eradication Program (NSEP) with a focus on mass vaccination of the population. It poured money into the vaccine manufacturing industry and hired healthcare workers to perform inoculations.

Why is smallpox the only disease eradicated?

Because the smallpox variola virus only infects humans, it was a good target for eradication. Human-to-human transmission could be interrupted through targeted vaccination campaigns. Similarly, poliovirus, which also only infects humans, was eliminated in 193 countries.

When was smallpox eradicated?

Smallpox is an acute, contagious, and sometimes fatal disease caused by an orthopoxvirus and marked by fever and a distinctive progressive skin rash. In 1980, the disease was declared eradicated following worldwide vaccination programs.

Why was smallpox eradication so important?

The eradication of smallpox is therefore a major success story for global health for several reasons: it was a disease that was endemic – and caused high mortality rates – across all continents; but was also crucial to advances in the field of immunology as the smallpox vaccine was the first successful vaccine to ever …

When is smallpox eradication Day?

On December 9, 1979, a commission of scientists declare that smallpox has been eradicated.

When was smallpox eradicated from world?

Smallpox Virus In 1980, the World Health Assembly declared smallpox eradicated (eliminated), and no cases of naturally occurring smallpox have happened since.

What were the challenges to eradication of smallpox?

Susceptible build-up, waning of immunity, increase in the age of infection, non-compliance of individuals with control measures, pathogen change and emergence of resistance as a result of intensified efforts all become increasingly important during the final stages of eradication programmes.

When did smallpox start and end?

The origin of smallpox is unknown. The finding of smallpox-like rashes on Egyptian mummies suggests that smallpox has existed for at least 3,000 years. The earliest written description of a disease like smallpox appeared in China in the 4th century CE (Common Era).

What is the importance of disease eradication?

The direct effects of eradication are that no morbidity or mortality due to that disease will ever again occur. Control programmes can cease. The consequent effects are those that impact positively and negatively on the entire health care system.

What were two of the lessons learned from the smallpox eradication program?

Strong workforce: Mobilization of more than 150,000 health workers, who administered the vaccine. Quick adaptation of new technology: Countries developed capacity to mass produce high-quality freeze-dried vaccine and to administer the vaccine with a bifurcated needle and later jet injectors.

What characteristics of smallpox helped in its eradication?

Several characteristics of smallpox led to its control and eventual eradication: 1) cases could be identified because smallpox is a clinically evident disease and there is no subclinical illness; 2) the disease moves relatively slowly— transmission does not occur during prodrome and maximum transmission is at the time …

WHO declared global eradication of smallpox in which year?

Almost two centuries after Jenner hoped that vaccination could annihilate smallpox, the 33rd World Health Assembly declared the world free of this disease on May 8, 1980. Many people consider smallpox eradication to be the biggest achievement in international public health.

Which diseases are eradicated?

To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared only 2 diseases officially eradicated: smallpox caused by variola virus (VARV) and rinderpest caused by the rinderpest virus (RPV).

Why was smallpox a good candidate for eradication?

Smallpox was a suitable candidate for eradication for several reasons. The disease was passed directly between people, without an intervening vector, so there were no reservoirs. Its distinctive rash made it relatively straight- forward to diagnose, and survivors gained lifetime immunity.

Is there still smallpox today?

Thanks to the success of vaccination, the last natural outbreak of smallpox in the United States occurred in 1949. In 1980, the World Health Assembly declared smallpox eradicated (eliminated), and no cases of naturally occurring smallpox have happened since.