The Smallpox virus was an infectious disease that was spread through the air in close proximity. Due to its contagious nature, many people were infected and many died due to this disease. Initially, treatment for this disease included inoculation. As stated in lecture, this was a process where active smallpox virus was inserted into a cut on the arm. This evidently only spread the disease. Edward Henner later created the vaccine derived from cowpox. However, there was still issues regarding this vaccines. Issues including, people trying to create vaccines in private facilities where a portion of the vaccine contained smallpox mixed with the cowpox. Contamination was also another issue. This was later solved by adding …show more content…
This was the declaration of global eradication of smallpox. It also recognizes all the nations and people that help eradicate the disease. However, on May 29, 1959, The Twelfth World Health Assembly brings up the issues of endemic foci of smallpox. This was still an issue for certain areas such as South East Asia and Africa. In this reading, it states that they have the measures to deal with this issue effectively and can produce vaccines to be given to 80% of the population. It also states the importance of these areas where the disease is still present to organize eradication programs. Bioterrorism is a concern in terms of the smallpox virus in today’s society. Since many today would not have had the vaccines it could be used to trigger a smallpox outbreak and history would repeat