What infectious diseases are due to be eradicated next?

  Although Medical Science aims to eradicate Infectious Diseases in order to protect life and reduce the healthcare burden, it has only been able to achieve that goal against two diseases to date. While this remains a difficult task, there is a genuine possibility that additional diseases will be eliminated in the near future! Let’s explore the diseases that have been consigned to history…and those that are set to join them soon. Smallpox: declared eradicated in 1980 Following a concentrated global effort spanning more than 20 years, Smallpox became the first infectious disease to be eradicated by mankind.  Smallpox was characterized by high fever, vomiting, and an extensive skin eruption characterized by vesicles, pustules, and permanent scarring. Thirty percent of cases were fatal, and recurring outbreaks affected virtually all countries,  leading to the deaths of as many as 300 million humans during the 20th century.  The disease has already been eliminated in North America and Europe when, in 1959, the World Health Organization declared the eradication initiative to permanently eradicate Smallpox. A vaccine with enhanced efficacy became widely available in 1967, and a formal Eradication Programme was put into effect. The last cases were reported in Africa in 1977, and WHO officially declared that Smallpox had been eradicated in 1980. Rinderpest: declared eradicated in 2011 31 years later, a second disease joined the “eradicated” list. Rinderpest was a ...
Source: GIDEON blog - Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Tags: Epidemiology News Source Type: blogs