Smallpox was the first and only disease eradicated worldwide through a global vaccination program. It was caused by the Variola virus. Edward Jenner invented the first vaccine for smallpox using cowpox, a similar but less severe virus, establishing the method of using a weaker strain of a virus to produce vaccines still used today. Containing the disease involved isolating sick individuals at home, an effective approach incorporated into modern infectious disease frameworks. The global smallpox eradication scheme established vaccination as a highly successful public health strategy paving the way for other vaccination programs.

1. SMALLPOX
What we have learned from past epidemics:

2. Smallpox Contribution to Global Health
Smallpox was the first, and still the only,
disease to be eradicated worldwide.
It was caused by a Variola virus. We have learned a lot about viruses and
global health because of this

3. First Vaccine
Jenner invented the first smallpox vaccine
cowpox, a similar, less severe form of the virus.
This method of using a weaker strain of a virus
to produce a vaccine is still used today.

4. Self - Isolation
In the effort to eradicate smallpox, people who
were sick were told to stay at home.
This worked extremely well, and is still used in
infectious disease containment framework today.

5. Vaccination Programme
 In the global eradication scheme for
smallpox, the first vaccination
scheme began. It was highly
successful and paved the way for
modern vaccination schemes.