What is Smallpox?
Prior to the eradication of smallpox, it was a serious contagious disease caused by the Variola virus. It was contagious- meaning, it spreads from one person to another. People who had smallpox had fever and a characteristic, progressive skin rash.
Most people suffering from smallpox recovered, but 3 out of every 10 people died of the disease. Many smallpox survivors have permanent scars on large areas of the body, especially on their face. Some are blind.
For the success of vaccination, smallpox was eradicated, and there have been no natural cases of smallpox since 1977. The last natural outbreak of smallpox in the USA occurred in 1949.
Origin of chicken pox
The origin of smallpox is unknown. Smallpox dates back to three centuries BC. It is believed to go back to the Egyptian Empire before (three ages ago); it is based on a smallpox rash found on three mummies. The first written description of a disease that clearly resembles smallpox appeared in China in the fourth century CE (Common Era). Early written descriptions also appeared in India in the 7th century and in Asia in the 10th century.
Chicken pox
The global spread of smallpox can be traced back to the development, civilization, exploration and expansion of trade routes going on for centuries.
Historical Features:
6th century – Increase in trade with China and Korea introduces smallpox in Japan.
7th century – Arab expansion spreads smallpox in North Africa, Spain and Portugal.
11th century – Crusade spread smallpox in Europe.
15th century – Portuguese occupation introduced smallpox to part of West Africa.
16th century – European colonies and the African slave trade imported smallpox into the Caribbean and Central and South America.
17th century – European colonization imported smallpox into North America.
18th century – Exploration by Great Britain introduces smallpox in Australia.
Initial control attempt
Smallpox was a devastating disease. On average, 3 out of every 10 people who have received it. Patients who survived were usually left with scars signs, which were sometimes severe.
One of the first methods to control the spread of smallpox was the use of variability. In the name of the virus that causes smallpox (variola virus). The variolation is the process by which material from smallpox (cols) was given to people who had never been chicken pox. This was done either by scratching the material in the arm or by ejecting it through the nose. With both types of violations, people usually developed symptoms associated with rash like smallpox and fever. However, fewer people died of variability, as if they had acquired smallpox naturally.
The basis for vaccination began in 1796; when an English doctor named Edward Jenner found that the milkmen who were found to be timid had no signs of smallpox after variability. The first experiment to test this theory involved milkmaid Sarah Nelms and Jenner’s gardener’s 9-year-old son, James Phipps. Dr. Jenner took the material from a cow face in Nelms ‘hand and injected it into Phipps’ arm. Months later, Jenner exposed the Varola virus to Phipps several times, but Phipps never developed smallpox. Further experiments followed, and in 1801, Jenner published his treatise “On the Origin of Vaccines”, in which he summarized his discoveries and hoped that “the destruction of smallpox, the most terrible crisis of the human species. The end result of this exercise. ”
Vaccination was widely accepted and gradually replaced the practice of change. At some point in the 1800s (exact timing remains unclear), the virus used to convert the smallpox vaccine from the smallpox to the vaccinia virus.
Global smallpox eradication program
In 1959, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a plan to rid the world of smallpox. Unfortunately, this global eradication campaign suffered from lack of funds, personnel, and commitment from countries, as well as a lack of vaccine donations. Despite his best efforts, smallpox was still widespread in 1966, causing regular outbreaks in many countries in South America, Africa and Asia.
The intensive effort program began in 1967 with the promise of new efforts. This time, laboratories in many countries where smallpox were regularly (endemic countries) were able to produce high, high quality freeze-dried vaccines. Several other conditions also played a key role in the success of intensive efforts, including the growing development of a bifurcated needle. The establishment of a surveillance method to detect and investigate cases, and large-scale vaccination campaigns.