Success

By the early 1970s, a growing number of nations had reached “zero-pox.” In 1975, the last case of variola major, the most virulent form of smallpox, occurred in Bangladesh.

In October, 1977, Ali Maow Maalin of Somalia contracted variola minor, becoming the last person in the world to contract smallpox naturally.

The eradication of smallpox has saved millions of lives and millions of dollars but it has caused new problems. Officially, smallpox exists only in the United States and Russia but there are concerns that terrorists or rogue states may unleash the virus. Today, as scientists and bioethicists weigh the demands of scientific research against the possibility of a man-made outbreak, the virus sits on death row—awaiting a final date for destruction.

The most recent decision regarding the destruction of smallpox was made on May 18, 2002. Click here for the decision.

The Threat
Variolation
Vaccination
Resistance to Vaccination
The 20th Century Threat
Campaign to Eradicate
Obstacles and Stuggles
Success

Ali Maow Maalin had worked temporarily as a smallpox vaccinator but he had not been successfully vaccinated and on October 22, 1977, he contracted the disease after being exposed to two children with smallpox. He ultimately recovered from the disease.

Although the last case of smallpox occurred in 1977, it was not until 1980 that the WHO felt confident that smallpox had been completely eradicated.