Smallpox

Though smallpox was officially declared to be eradicated in 1980, live samples of the virus live on — stored in carefully guarded freezers in Russia and the US. Now officials will consider eliminating those final samples — and truly wiping small pox off the Earth.Though smallpox was officially declared to be eradicated in 1980, live samples of the virus live on — stored in carefully guarded freezers in Russia and the US. Now officials will consider eliminating those final samples — and truly wiping small pox off the Earth.

William Foege, one of the scientists who led the global campaign that eradicated smallpox, talks about the other six diseases he’d like to kill off.

Smallpox was eradicated from the earth 30 years ago. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation reflects on what we’ve learned.

In Somalia, Ali Maow Maalin died unexpectedly this week. His passing is a milestone in the history of a viral disease: smallpox. Ali Maow Maalin was the last person in the world to be infected with naturally occurring smallpox.

The first and only human disease to be eradicated was smallpox. Epidemiologist William Foege helped lead the campaign and has written a new book about it called “House on Fire: The Fight to Eradicate Smallpox.” The World’s Lisa Mullins speaks with Foege.