Discover the incredible journey of smallpox eradication, starting with the ancient practices of variolation. Learn how Lady Mary introduced innovative methods to England, sparking a revolution in vaccination. Follow the dramatic containment efforts by WHO to tackle the last smallpox outbreak, amidst intense challenges. Delve into the haunting story of Janet Parker, the last recorded victim, and witness the triumph of global health initiatives leading to the historic declaration of smallpox's defeat in 1979.
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Quick takeaways
The eradication of smallpox on December 9, 1979, marked a monumental achievement in global health and vaccination efforts.
Lady Mary Wortley Montague's advocacy for variolation demonstrated early efforts to combat smallpox and laid the foundation for future vaccination practices.
Deep dives
The Battle Against Spanish Invaders
On July 1st, 1520, tensions escalate in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, where nobleman Cuitloac joins thousands of Aztecs fighting against Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. Initially, the Aztecs welcomed the Europeans, offering gifts of gold and hospitality, hoping for peaceful relations. However, incidents of violence soon arose, including the murder of Aztec leaders, leading to a fervent desire for revenge among the Aztecs. In a hard-fought battle, Cuitloac and his people manage to repel the Spanish forces, leaving behind a city filled with the fallen but ultimately unaware of the more deadly threat that looms ahead—smallpox.
Lady Mary and the Introduction of Variolation
In early 18th century Constantinople, Lady Mary Wortley Montague becomes an advocate for variolation after witnessing its success among locals as a preventive measure against smallpox. Having contracted the disease herself, she is determined to protect her son by seeking out an old medicine woman to perform the procedure. This technique involves intentionally infecting individuals with a milder strain of smallpox, allowing them to build immunity without suffering severe symptoms. Her efforts and subsequent trials with variolation eventually gain the attention of influential figures back in England, laying the groundwork for broader acceptance of this medical practice.
The Eradication of Smallpox
Dr. Edward Jenner's groundbreaking work in 1796 led to the development of the first vaccination against smallpox, a process significantly safer than the previously used variolation. By infecting a boy with cowpox, the milder cousin of smallpox, Jenner demonstrated that exposure granted immunity to the deadlier virus. This monumental discovery set the stage for vaccination to take root across Western Europe and change public health forever. After a global vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organization, smallpox was officially declared eradicated on December 9th, 1979, marking a significant milestone in human health history.
December 9, 1979. A commission of scientists declare that the scourge of the world – the infectious and deadly virus smallpox - has been eradicated. This episode originally aired in 2021.
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