once-deadliest diseases that have been completely eradicated
1. Smallpox Smallpox was a highly contagious and deadly viral disease caused by the variola virus. It manifested through fever, rash, and the formation of fluid-filled lesions on the skin. With a long history of affecting human populations, smallpox was responsible for numerous epidemics and significant mortality worldwide. However, a major breakthrough in medical history occurred with the development of a highly effective smallpox vaccine by Edward Jenner in the late 18th century. Intensive global vaccination campaigns followed in the 20th century, leading to the successful eradication of smallpox in 1980—the first and only infectious disease to be eradicated through human efforts. The eradication of smallpox stands as a remarkable achievement in public health, demonstrating the impact of widespread vaccination in eliminating a once-feared and devastating disease. 2. Rinderpest Rinderpest, a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals, was a signif...
