About

It caused fever, severe rash, and fluid-filled blisters on the skin, which often left permanent scars. The disease had a high fatality rate, ranging from 20% to 60% in unvaccinated individuals. It was transmitted through respiratory droplets or contact with infected materials. Smallpox had been present in human populations for thousands of years, with evidence found in Egyptian mummies dating back to the third century BC. It spread globally during the Age of Exploration, devastating indigenous populations in the Americas, Australia, and Pacific islands. It continued to cause epidemics and millions of deaths until the late 18th century. The discovery of vaccination by Edward Jenner in the late 18th century marked a turning point in combating smallpox. This technique involved inoculating individuals with the less dangerous cowpox virus, which provided immunity against both cowpox and smallpox. Jenner's method was eventually adopted worldwide, leading to the eradication of smallpox in 1980 through an intensive global immunization campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO). The eradication of smallpox remains one of the greatest successes in the history of medicine. It represents the only human disease to be eradicated globally, with the last known natural case occurring in Somalia in 1977. The WHO's efforts involved extensive surveillance, containment strategies, and mass vaccination programs. The eradication of smallpox highlighted the effectiveness of international cooperation and public health measures in tackling infectious diseases. Today, smallpox only exists in laboratories under strict containment conditions in the United States and Russia. The risk of accidental release or deliberate use of the virus as a bioweapon has prompted ongoing debates regarding its future. These discussions involve ethical considerations, as well as balancing the potential benefits of continued research with the associated risks. Despite its eradication, smallpox continues to hold significant scientific and historical importance. The disease has shaped the course of human history, with its impact on populations, colonization, and medicine. The success of the smallpox eradication campaign has inspired efforts to eliminate other infectious diseases, such as polio and Guinea worm disease, drawing lessons from its milestones and challenges.