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Five years of freedom from smallpox.
Journal of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Microbiology, and Immunology
|January 1, 1983
Summary
The global smallpox eradication program, launched in 1967, successfully eliminated the disease by 1979. This public health achievement demonstrated the feasibility of disease eradication and yielded significant economic and human resource benefits.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- Smallpox was endemic in 35 countries in 1967, causing millions of cases and deaths annually.
- An intensified global eradication program was launched to eliminate smallpox transmission worldwide.
Observation:
- The chain of smallpox transmission was broken in 1977, with global eradication confirmed in 1979.
- The World Health Assembly officially accepted smallpox eradication in 1980.
Findings:
- The eradication effort cost US$313 million globally.
- Annual economic returns from smallpox eradication are estimated at US$1-2 billion.
- Significant savings have been realized, allowing reallocation to other health projects.
Implications:
- Smallpox eradication proved the concept of disease eradication is feasible and highly successful.
- It freed up substantial financial resources and a dedicated health workforce for other public health initiatives.
- Continued vigilance and research on related orthopox viruses remain important.