[Worldwide eradication of smallpox or from Sarah Nelmes to Ali Maow Maalin]

It cannot be disputed that the WHO plan for the eradication of smallpox has had considerable success. There is no endemic smallpox any longer in the world. Nevertheless caution is advised and continued supervision must not be neglected. There are still countries where supervision is not satisfactory, there is uncertainty about animal reservoirs and it should be assumed from the beginning that up to the present no epidemic disease could be completely eradicated. For this reason it is inevitable that supplies of vaccine should be available. A vaccine from heat sensitive strains is offered which is obtained from cell cultures.