Smallpox Epidemic

The first known cases of smallpox date back to 1350 BC in Africa. It then spread to China and India. It is believed many early civilizations and small communities were completely wiped out by the smallpox virus. The 1770’s were a common time for smallpox epidemics. During this time about 30% of North America was affected by the virus. The spread of it continued for the next eighty years. More than 11,000 people died from smallpox during this time period. There are many documented cases of Indians and early settlers succumbing to the devastating effects of smallpox.

Smallpox found its way to the United Stated in 1862. Boston, Massachusetts suffered a huge smallpox epidemic from 1901 to 1903 with over 15,000 cases reported. 270 people died from the virus. To prevent further spreading of the virus, all infected individuals were quarantined. Cleveland, Ohio experienced an extreme smallpox epidemic in 1902.

Millions of people throughout the world have died from the smallpox epidemic. However, those who survived the infection built up an immunity to the disease. This lead to the practice of immunizing against



smallpox. In 1967 the health sectors of the world began a quest to immunize everyone against it. In just 10 years they were able to announce that smallpox was no longer a threat. The World Health Assembly declared the world as free from the disease in 1980.

The last known case of smallpox was reported in 1977. However, there are concerns about the disease surfacing or being used intentionally as warfare. It is believed a smallpox epidemic would have a huge impact on the world. It is spread through the air so it would spread very rapidly. Smallpox can thrive in any temperature or climate. There is a fear most doctors would not know what they were up against. Up to 30% of the population who caught the virus would likely die from it.

To prevent such an epidemic of smallpox from taking place, scientists have developed a vaccine that can take care of it if the victim receives the vaccine within four days of contracting the virus. Smallpox response teams have been developed in the United States since 2002. The vaccine for smallpox has been administered to over a million military personnel since 2003.


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