Mystery of Red Plague | Invention of World’s First Vaccine | Dhruv Rathee
Dhruv Rathee・2 minutes read
Smallpox was a deadly virus with a 30% fatality rate that claimed 5 million lives annually, wiping out one-third of Japan, 90% of Native Tribal populations in Mexico and America, and killing every seventh child in Russia in the 18th century. Despite initial opposition, Dr. Edward Jenner's innovative Cowpox vaccine ultimately led to the global eradication of Smallpox in 1979, marking a significant milestone in public health history.
Insights
- Smallpox, a highly contagious and deadly virus with a 30% fatality rate, caused widespread devastation globally, affecting populations in Japan, Mexico, America, and Russia, claiming an estimated 5 million lives annually and leaving permanent scars on survivors.
- Dr. Edward Jenner's groundbreaking discovery in 1796 that Cowpox could prevent Smallpox revolutionized medicine, leading to the first successful vaccine and the eventual eradication of Smallpox worldwide. Despite initial opposition, vaccination proved safer than inoculation, ultimately overcoming superstitions and resistance to become a pivotal tool in public health.
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Recent questions
What was the fatality rate of Smallpox?
30%
How did Smallpox spread?
Through respiratory droplets, saliva, contaminated surfaces
What was the initial symptom of Smallpox?
Resembled a common cold
Who discovered that Cowpox could prevent Smallpox?
Dr. Edward Jenner
When was Smallpox officially declared eradicated?
1979
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Summary
00:00
Eradication of Smallpox: A Historic Triumph
- Smallpox, a deadly virus that ravaged Earth for 3,000 years, had a 30% fatality rate, leaving permanent scars on survivors.
- The disease decimated populations globally, wiping out one-third of Japan, 90% of Native Tribal populations in Mexico and America, and killing every seventh child born in Russia in the 18th century.
- Smallpox claimed an estimated 5 million lives annually, totaling 500 million deaths in a century, dwarfing the impact of the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
- Smallpox, known by various names like Speckled Monster and Pox, was highly contagious, spreading through respiratory droplets, saliva, and contaminated surfaces.
- The disease's initial symptoms resembled a common cold, progressing to rashes and boils, leading to a 30% death rate, with children being more susceptible.
- Smallpox likely emerged from contact with animals carrying Orthopox viruses, with the first evidence dating back to 1156 BC in an ancient Egyptian mummy.
- Inoculation, a risky procedure involving infecting individuals with small doses of the virus, had a 1%-2% death rate but was preferred over the 30% fatality rate of Smallpox.
- Dr. Edward Jenner's discovery in 1796 that Cowpox could prevent Smallpox led to the world's first successful vaccine, with the term "vaccination" derived from the Latin word for cow.
- Vaccination proved safer than inoculation, with negligible risks, and led to the eradication of Smallpox globally, despite initial opposition from religious groups and anti-vax movements.
- Dr. Jenner's innovative methods of transporting the vaccine, including using dried strings, glass tubes, and infected children on ships, facilitated the global distribution of the Smallpox vaccine, ultimately leading to its eradication.
14:54
Eradication of Smallpox through Global Vaccination Efforts
- Tikadaars, dependent on inoculation for their livelihood, initially resisted vaccination efforts due to the belief that smallpox was caused by the anger of Goddess Shitala. Many people, influenced by superstition, avoided vaccines derived from cows and preferred temple visits for protection.
- In the 1970s, painful vaccination methods and vaccine spoilage due to Indian summers hindered eradication efforts. However, a collaboration between the World Health Organisation and the Indian Government in 1970 led to the introduction of Freeze-Dried Vaccines, making storage and transportation easier. New, less painful vaccination techniques were implemented, with a widespread campaign to educate and convince the population, resulting in the last smallpox case in India in 1975.
- Following successful eradication in India, similar campaigns were conducted in Africa and South America, leading to the last natural infection case in Somalia in 1977. The World Health Organisation officially declared smallpox eradicated in 1979, with only two virus samples stored in highly secure laboratories to prevent potential misuse.
