Smallpox - World Health Organization (WHO)
Jun 20, 2024 · Smallpox. Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus family. It was one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity and caused millions of deaths before it was eradicated. It is believed to have existed for at least 3000 years.
Smallpox - World Health Organization (WHO)
Jun 28, 2016 · Smallpox is an ancient disease caused by the variola virus. Early symptoms include high fever and fatigue. The virus then produces a characteristic rash, particularly on the face, arms and legs. The resulting spots become filled with clear fluid and later, pus, and then form a crust, which eventually dries up and falls off.
History of smallpox vaccination - World Health Organization (WHO)
Mandatory smallpox vaccination came into effect in Britain and parts of the United States of America in the 1840s and 1850s, as well as in other parts of the world, leading to the establishment of the smallpox vaccination certificates required for travel. While some European regions eliminated the disease by 1900, smallpox was still ravaging ...
Commemorating Smallpox Eradication – a legacy of hope, for …
Aug 5, 2020 · On 8 May 1980, the 33rd World Health Assembly officially declared: ‘The world and all its peoples have won freedom from smallpox.’ The declaration marked the end of a disease that had plagued humanity for at least 3 000 years, killing 300 million people in the 20th century alone. It was ended, thanks to a 10-year global effort, spearheaded by the World Health …
Smallpox Eradication Programme - SEP (1966-1980)
May 1, 2010 · Smallpox Eradication Programme - SEP (1966-1980) 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox. Smallpox was officially declared eradicated in 1980 and is the first disease to have been fought on a global scale. This extraordinary achievement was accomplished through the collaboration of countries around the world.
How was smallpox wiped out? | World Economic Forum
Apr 17, 2020 · Sean Fleming. Smallpox existed for thousands of years, killed millions, and was fatal in up to 30% of cases. It was eradicated by a collaborative global vaccination programme led by the World Health Organization. The last known natural case was in Somalia in 1977. It was feared for millennia and among the most deadly diseases facing humankind ...
Smallpox vaccines - World Health Organization (WHO)
The smallpox vaccine, introduced by Edward Jenner in 1796, was the first successful vaccine to be developed. He observed that milkmaids who previously had caught cowpox did not catch smallpox and showed that inoculated vaccinia protected against inoculated variola virus. The global eradication effort initially used a strategy of mass ...
WHO commemorates the 40th anniversary of smallpox eradication
Dec 13, 2019 · The World Health Organization commemorated the 40th anniversary of smallpox eradication today recognizing the historic moment on 9 December 1979 when the end of smallpox was confirmed to have been eradicated. Five months later, in May 1980, the 33rd World Health Assembly issued its official declaration that ‘the world and all its peoples have won freedom …
Smallpox: Clinical diagnosis - World Health Organization (WHO)
Jun 21, 2016 · Smallpox is a disease which can be easily diagnosed by trained health workers without the need for laboratory support. During the eradication campaign, WHO produced training materials designed to help health staff recognize smallpox, distinguish it from chickenpox, and avoid common diagnostic errors. These materials are now electronically ...
Smallpox - World Health Organization (WHO)
Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by variola virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus family. Smallpox, which is believed to have originated over 3,000 years ago in India or Egypt, was one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity. Smallpox is transmitted from person to person by infected aerosols and air droplets spread in ...