Why is smallpox the only disease eradicated?

Because the smallpox variola virus only infects humans, it was a good target for eradication. Human-to-human transmission could be interrupted through targeted vaccination campaigns. Similarly, poliovirus, which also only infects humans, was eliminated in 193 countries.

Why is smallpox still kept?

Due to resistance from the U.S. and Russia, in 2002 the World Health Assembly agreed to permit temporary retention of the virus stocks for specific research purposes. Destroying existing stocks would reduce the risk involved with ongoing smallpox research; the stocks are not needed to respond to a smallpox outbreak.

Why was smallpox an ideal candidate for eradication?

Smallpox was a suitable candidate for eradication for several reasons. The disease was passed directly between people, without an intervening vector, so there were no reservoirs. Its distinctive rash made it relatively straight- forward to diagnose, and survivors gained lifetime immunity.

Is smallpox completely eradicated?

Thanks to the success of vaccination, the last natural outbreak of smallpox in the United States occurred in 1949. In 1980, the World Health Assembly declared smallpox eradicated (eliminated), and no cases of naturally occurring smallpox have happened since.

What is the difference between elimination and eradication of disease?

Eradication refers to the reduction to zero (or a very low defined target rate) of new cases in a defined geographical area. C. Elimination refers to the complete and permanent worldwide reduction to zero new cases of the disease through deliberate efforts.

Why is smallpox not destroyed?

Smallpox kills about a third of the people it infects. It’s serious business. But there are also lots of reasons to hold off on destroying the virus: the most commonly cited is that smallpox is needed to finish research and development on vaccines and drugs that could fight a future outbreak.

Is the smallpox virus extinct?

Smallpox is one of two infectious diseases to have been eradicated, the other being rinderpest in 2011….

What are two differences between polio and smallpox eradication efforts?

Compared to polio, smallpox was much easier to eradicate. A major reason being the nature of polio with only 1 out of approximately 200 cases being symptomatic. For smallpox, every infection resulted in the same clinical manifestation of the disease and this made patients easier to find and isolate.

When did smallpox become eradicated?

Almost two centuries after Jenner hoped that vaccination could annihilate smallpox, the 33rd World Health Assembly declared the world free of this disease on May 8, 1980. Many people consider smallpox eradication to be the biggest achievement in international public health.