The 1980 declaration by the World Health Organization that smallpox had been eradicated worldwide, the only human disease eliminated entirely through deliberate public health action, following a global vaccination campaign, and standing as the field's own strongest proof that coordinated intervention can end a disease permanently.
Facts
Milestone Year Milestone Date LocationWorldwide; certified by the World Health Assembly in Geneva 1 Classification
Type/ClassificationDiscovery or Breakthrough 1 FAQs
When and how was smallpox eradication officially certified?
The World Health Assembly certified eradication in 1980, in resolution WHA33.3, after a vaccination campaign combined with surveillance and containment of the remaining cases.
The World Health Assembly certified smallpox eradicated worldwide in 1980, in resolution WHA33.3, following a global vaccination campaign combined with an intensive surveillance and containment strategy that tracked down and isolated the last remaining cases rather than relying on vaccination coverage alone.
Why is smallpox eradication considered public health's strongest proof of concept?
It is the only human disease eliminated entirely through deliberate public health action, certified in WHO resolution WHA33.3 in 1980.
Smallpox remains the only human disease ever eliminated entirely through deliberate public health action, rather than through natural decline or treatment, following a global vaccination campaign and an intensive surveillance and containment strategy. The World Health Assembly's 1980 certification, in resolution WHA33.3, stands as the field's own clearest demonstration that a coordinated, sufficiently resourced campaign can end a disease permanently.
Connections
Associated With
Source Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Website
Source World Health Organization Official Site
Credited To
William Foege's surveillance-containment (ring vaccination) strategy is widely credited as the operational key to global smallpox eradication.
Source World Health Organization Official Site
In Branch
Source World Health Organization Official Site
Sources
1. World Health Organization Official Site
World Health Organization- Smallpox
WHA33.3 resolution document page
WHA33.3 8 May 1980 Publication
Program classification, entity description sentence
The 1980 declaration by the World Health Organization that smallpox had been eradicated worldwide, the only human disease eliminated entirely through deliberate public health action, following a global vaccination campaign, and standing as the field's own strongest proof that coordinated intervention can end a disease permanently.
- Credited To: World Health Organization
- In Branch: Public Health
- Associated With: Mass Vaccination Campaign
View the Source Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Website
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthAssociated With: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, About page, smallpox lineQuote, Associated With: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, About page, smallpox line
Since 1916, our people have eradicated smallpox, made water safe to drink, uncovered the dangers of tobacco, and contained the spread of HIV.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.