History of smallpox

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History of Smallpox

Smallpox (pronunciation: /ˈsmɔːlpɒks/) is a highly contagious and deadly disease caused by the variola virus. The etymology of the term "smallpox" is derived from the Latin word for "spotted" and refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of an infected person.

Ancient History

The earliest evidence of smallpox is found on the teeth of a child in Denmark dating back to 300 B.C. Ancient Egyptians also showed signs of smallpox in mummies dating back to the 3rd century B.C.

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, smallpox was a major cause of death in Europe. It was during this time that the disease was given its name "smallpox" to distinguish it from the "great pox" (syphilis).

18th Century

In the 18th century, smallpox was a major cause of death worldwide. In 1796, Edward Jenner discovered that milkmaids who had contracted cowpox did not catch smallpox. This led to the development of the first smallpox vaccine.

20th Century

In the 20th century, a global effort to eradicate smallpox was undertaken by the World Health Organization. The last known natural case was in Somalia in 1977. Since then, smallpox is the only disease that has been declared eradicated.

Related Terms

  • Vaccination: The process of administering a vaccine to help the immune system develop protection from a disease.
  • Variola Virus: The virus that causes smallpox.
  • Eradication of Diseases: The reduction of an infectious disease's prevalence in the global host population to zero.

External links

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