Eradicating Smallpox in South Asia
The last recorded case of naturally occurring variola major smallpox was in 1975 with Rahima Banu in Bangladesh. The eradication of smallpox was a remarkable achievement led by public health workers in South Asia. Dr. Céline Gounder created a podcast, 'Epidemic: Eradicating Smallpox,' to tell the stories of those involved in battling smallpox nearly 50 years ago.
Key Points
- Smallpox was certified eradicated in 1980
- South Asian public health workers were crucial in the battle against smallpox
- Dr. Céline Gounder created a podcast to capture the history of smallpox eradication
Pros
- Remarkable achievement in eradicating smallpox
- Dedication of public health workers in South Asia
- Podcast 'Epidemic: Eradicating Smallpox' sheds light on the untold stories
Cons
- Failure to meet people's basic needs during the eradication campaign
- Current public health efforts repeating mistakes of the past