Smallpox Eradication: African Origin, African Solutions, and Relevance for COVID-19

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 104; no. 2; pp. 416 - 421
• Main Author: Breman, Joel G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Institute of Tropical Medicine 18.01.2021; The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Subjects: Africa; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 Vaccines; Disease Eradication - history; Global Health; History, 15th Century; History, 16th Century; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; History, Ancient; History, Medieval; Humans; Mummies; Presidential Address; SARS-CoV-2; Smallpox; Smallpox - history; Smallpox - pathology; Smallpox - prevention & control; Smallpox Vaccine - history; Africa

2020 marks 40 years since the World Health Assembly accepted the 1979 conclusion of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication that the dread disease had been eradicated. It is fitting to reflect on the history and conduct of the eradication program, focusing on Africa. Not...