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Eradicating an ancient scourge | Eradicating an ancient scourge |
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By Fergus Walsh Medical correspondent, BBC News Smallpox was a major killerAsk anyone in which country the world's last victim of smallpox died and they are unlikely to choose England. | By Fergus Walsh Medical correspondent, BBC News Smallpox was a major killerAsk anyone in which country the world's last victim of smallpox died and they are unlikely to choose England. |
But 30 years ago on Thursday Janet Parker, a medical photographer, died in Birmingham, weeks after being infected with the virus. | But 30 years ago on Thursday Janet Parker, a medical photographer, died in Birmingham, weeks after being infected with the virus. |
She had been working in a room above the smallpox laboratory at the University Medical School. | She had been working in a room above the smallpox laboratory at the University Medical School. |
The smallpox lab had been earmarked for closure within months because of safety concerns. | The smallpox lab had been earmarked for closure within months because of safety concerns. |
The incident claimed two lives - the head of smallpox research, Professor Henry Bedsen, committed suicide. | The incident claimed two lives - the head of smallpox research, Professor Henry Bedsen, committed suicide. |
Thousands of people in Birmingham were immunised as a precaution. | Thousands of people in Birmingham were immunised as a precaution. |
It was an unexpected reminder of a deadly and ancient scourge. | It was an unexpected reminder of a deadly and ancient scourge. |
Smallpox had been killing and disfiguring people for thousands of years.Advertisement | |
The site of the last smallpox outbreak | |
First vaccine | First vaccine |
There is evidence of smallpox from lesions on the mummy of Ramses V, who died in Egypt in 1157 BC. | There is evidence of smallpox from lesions on the mummy of Ramses V, who died in Egypt in 1157 BC. |
It was almost impossible to treat smallpox, so when it was finally eradicated it really was a medical milestone Professor Lawrence YoungUniversity of Birmingham | It was almost impossible to treat smallpox, so when it was finally eradicated it really was a medical milestone Professor Lawrence YoungUniversity of Birmingham |
But the disease provided the stimulus for one of the great advances in medicine - it was the subject of the first ever vaccine. | But the disease provided the stimulus for one of the great advances in medicine - it was the subject of the first ever vaccine. |
In 1796 Edward Jenner, a doctor in Gloucestershire, discovered that immunity to smallpox could be produced by inoculation with the mild related infection of cowpox. | In 1796 Edward Jenner, a doctor in Gloucestershire, discovered that immunity to smallpox could be produced by inoculation with the mild related infection of cowpox. |
He was testing the theory that since milkmaids rarely got smallpox, perhaps cowpox gave them some protection. | He was testing the theory that since milkmaids rarely got smallpox, perhaps cowpox gave them some protection. |
Nonetheless it took nearly 200 years for the disease to be finally eradicated. | Nonetheless it took nearly 200 years for the disease to be finally eradicated. |
In 1980, the World Health Organisation declared that the planet was free of smallpox. | In 1980, the World Health Organisation declared that the planet was free of smallpox. |
Professor Lawrence Young, of the University of Birmingham, says this was a great achievement: "In the 20th century alone smallpox killed around 300m people. | Professor Lawrence Young, of the University of Birmingham, says this was a great achievement: "In the 20th century alone smallpox killed around 300m people. |
"And those who survived were often left disfigured by scars on the face and body. | "And those who survived were often left disfigured by scars on the face and body. |
"It was almost impossible to treat smallpox, so when it was finally eradicated it really was a medical milestone which was of huge benefit to the entire world." | "It was almost impossible to treat smallpox, so when it was finally eradicated it really was a medical milestone which was of huge benefit to the entire world." |
Success predicted | Success predicted |
After the success of smallpox eradication global health officials were confident other diseases would follow. | After the success of smallpox eradication global health officials were confident other diseases would follow. |
You have to get everybody on board if you are to eradicate a disease - public and politicians Professor Hugh PenningtonUniversity of Aberdeen | You have to get everybody on board if you are to eradicate a disease - public and politicians Professor Hugh PenningtonUniversity of Aberdeen |
Like smallpox, polio and measles do not infect animals, so once they are wiped out in humans the viruses should die out. | Like smallpox, polio and measles do not infect animals, so once they are wiped out in humans the viruses should die out. |
Although cases of polio have declined by 99%, there are still pockets of infection in Nigeria and three other countries - in part due to opposition to immunisation. | Although cases of polio have declined by 99%, there are still pockets of infection in Nigeria and three other countries - in part due to opposition to immunisation. |
Measles is another virus which could be wiped out - but a health scare over MMR 10 years ago has helped the disease stage a comeback in the UK. | Measles is another virus which could be wiped out - but a health scare over MMR 10 years ago has helped the disease stage a comeback in the UK. |
Professor Hugh Pennington, from the University of Aberdeen, says all the targets for disease eradication of recent decades have been missed. | Professor Hugh Pennington, from the University of Aberdeen, says all the targets for disease eradication of recent decades have been missed. |
"You have to get everybody on board if you are to eradicate a disease - public and politicians. | "You have to get everybody on board if you are to eradicate a disease - public and politicians. |
"There are people in the UK who think it is an acceptable risk to have your child get measles - I strongly disagree. | "There are people in the UK who think it is an acceptable risk to have your child get measles - I strongly disagree. |
"That means even in the UK were can't get rid of measles." | "That means even in the UK were can't get rid of measles." |
Professor Pennington says there is some good news on the horizon. | Professor Pennington says there is some good news on the horizon. |
Guinea Worm disease - a parasitic infection - looks close to eradication. | Guinea Worm disease - a parasitic infection - looks close to eradication. |
This will not be the result of vaccination but through filtering the infected fleas out of drinking water. | This will not be the result of vaccination but through filtering the infected fleas out of drinking water. |