Eradication of Smallpox, Polio, and how they may help in Approaching Covid-19
Some of the most notable epidemics include the bubonic plague in the 14th century, smallpox in the 18th century, influenza in the 20th century, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in the 21st century. It is estimated that the bubonic plague caused 25 million deaths in Europe in the 14th century alone, and up to 200 million total deaths across centuries (Glatter & Finkelman, 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic spread at an unprecedented pace due to globalization and the mobility of society, killing millions worldwide. These are dramatic examples of the kinds of acute outbreaks that make epidemiology such an important field of study.
At the beginning of the 21st century, many epidemiologists and healthcare professionals were concerned about the next potential pandemic or epidemic—and then it arrived in early 2020. Globalization means that when these infectious outbreaks occur, they can spread quickly, but we also have more knowledge and better tools (e.g., vaccine technology) to fight them. For this Discussion, you will compare lessons learned from two successful eradication efforts, that of smallpox and polio, and consider how they may be applied to COVID-19.
Reference
Glatter, K. A., & Finkelman, P. (2021). History of the plague: An ancient pandemic for the age of COVID-19.
American Journal of Medicine, 134(2), 176–181.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
Learning Resources
· Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2021).
Epidemiology for public health practice (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
· Chapter 12, “Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
· Center for Global Development. (n.d.).
Case 1: Eradicating smallpox
Download Case 1: Eradicating smallpox.
Note: This article provides an overview of the eradication of smallpox.
· Wilson, N., Mansoor, O. D., Boyd, M. J., Kvalsvig, A., & Baker, M. G. (2021).
We should not dismiss the possibility of eradicating COVID-19: Comparisons with smallpox and polioLinks to an external site..
BMJ Global Health, (8), e006810
.
· World Health Organization. (n.d.).
PoliomyelitisLinks to an external site.
(polio).
Note: This page provides an overview of the eradication of polio, as well as symptoms and treatment.
· The Impact of COVID-19 on Epidemiology
Time Estimate: 3 minutes
· Walden University, LLC. (2021).
Infectious disease basicsLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard.
· Polio Global Eradication Initiative. (n.d.).
GPEI strategy 2022–2026.Links to an external site.
To prepare:
· Review the Learning Resources, focusing on the smallpox and polio epidemics and how health organizations applied principles of epidemiology to eradicate (or in the case of polio, nearly eradicate) these diseases.
· In light of these examples, consider the benefits of addressing smallpox and polio at the population level. What were the population health strategies that were used in the efforts to eradicate smallpox and polio?
· Consider similarities and differences from an epidemiologic perspective among the smallpox and polio epidemics and that of COVID-19.
· Think about how principles of epidemiology are being applied—or could be applied—to address COVID-19.
· What lessons from the use of infectious disease epidemiology in the past might be applicable to controlling COVID 19?
· What are the benefits of addressing this issue at the population level as opposed to the individual level?
By Day 3 of Week 9
Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:
· Briefly summarize the epidemiologic differences among the three diseases and how principles of epidemiology are being applied—or could be applied—to address COVID-19.
· Are there any lessons learned from the use of epidemiology in the eradication of smallpox and polio that could be applied to COVID-19?
· Evaluate the benefits of addressing this health problem at the population level versus the individual level. Support your Discussion with information from this week’s Learning Resources and articles you have located in the Walden Library.
By Day 6 of Week 9
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to
at least two of your colleagues on
two different days and
respond to
at least two colleagues on
two different days in one or more of the following ways:
· Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.
· Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
· Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
· Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
· Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
· Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.
RESPOND TO THIS DISCUSSION POST
Yvonne
Lessons from Smallpox and Polio Eradication for Addressing COVID-19
The eradication campaigns for smallpox and the near-eradication of polio stand as two of the most significant achievements in public health history. These efforts offer valuable insights for managing and potentially controlling COVID-19. Though the three diseases differ in transmission, clinical presentation, and global response strategies, they share common epidemiologic principles that can inform future public health planning.
Smallpox was officially eradicated in 1980 after a concerted global effort that emphasized widespread vaccination, intense surveillance, and containment strategies such as ring vaccination. One of the main reasons smallpox was deemed eradicable was its unique epidemiological profile: it had no animal reservoir, a clearly recognizable rash for easy diagnosis, and a relatively long incubation period, allowing health workers to isolate and vaccinate contacts before secondary transmission occurred (Center for Global Development, n.d.). A freeze-dried vaccine, the introduction of the bifurcated needle for easier delivery, and strong international cooperation made mass immunization feasible even in low-resource settings. Additionally, the global coordination led by the World Health Organization ensured unified strategies across nations, regardless of geopolitical differences.
Polio, while not yet eradicated, has been dramatically reduced worldwide. Like smallpox, it has no known animal reservoir and only affects humans. However, eradication has been complicated by asymptomatic cases, persistent outbreaks in conflict zones, and rare instances of vaccine-derived poliovirus. Despite these challenges, strategies such as National Immunization Days, environmental surveillance (such as wastewater monitoring), and the oral polio vaccine have brought the world significantly closer to complete eradication (World Health Organization, n.d.).
COVID-19 presents a different set of epidemiological challenges. Unlike smallpox and polio, SARS-CoV-2 spreads extensively through asymptomatic individuals and mutates rapidly, leading to new variants that may partially evade immune responses. These features make containment and eradication more difficult. However, the application of modern public health tools, such as genomic surveillance, contact tracing, and highly effective mRNA vaccines, gives us new options that were not available during the smallpox and early polio campaigns.
Wilson et al. (2021) suggest that COVID-19’s eradicability, although lower than that of smallpox, may be more feasible than polio in some respects. For example, successful elimination of COVID-19 has already been demonstrated in several jurisdictions, such as New Zealand and Iceland, through the use of public health and social measures like border control, mask-wearing, and testing. These countries achieved local elimination even before the availability of vaccines, demonstrating the power of coordinated interventions. Moreover, public health and social measures can complement vaccination efforts, making COVID-19 uniquely responsive to layered interventions compared to past diseases.
One of the most significant lessons from smallpox and polio is the importance of political commitment, coordinated leadership, and robust surveillance systems. During the smallpox eradication campaign, the World Health Organization established a centralized Smallpox Eradication Unit that oversaw operations and enforced accountability. Similar infrastructure is needed for global COVID-19 management, especially in light of vaccine nationalism and inconsistent messaging. Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy are substantial barriers that must be addressed through consistent public health communication and community engagement.
Addressing COVID-19 at the population level provides greater benefits than targeting individual treatment alone. A population-level approach enables mass vaccination campaigns, surveillance of disease spread through environmental monitoring, and resource allocation to underserved regions. Wastewater surveillance, for instance, has proven effective in detecting emerging outbreaks of COVID-19 and guiding targeted public health responses (Wilson et al., 2021). Such tools were similarly valuable in the polio campaign and continue to inform global efforts.
The economic and health benefits of eradication are substantial. The smallpox campaign, for example, cost around $300 million globally but now saves billions in vaccination and treatment costs each year. COVID-19 has already imposed trillions of dollars in global economic losses, suggesting that investments in eradication or long-term control would be cost-effective in the long run.
In conclusion, the eradication of smallpox and near-eradication of polio underscore the power of coordinated global efforts, scientific innovation, and flexible public health strategies. These lessons remain highly relevant in the ongoing battle against COVID-19. While full eradication of COVID-19 may be more complex, a strategic, population-based approach grounded in epidemiologic principles could lead to sustained control, reduced transmission, and a healthier global population.
References
Center for Global Development. (n.d.).
Case 1: Eradicating Smallpox.
Links to an external site.
Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2021).
Epidemiology for public health practice (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Wilson, N., Mansoor, O. D., Boyd, M. J., Kvalsvig, A., & Baker, M. G. (2021). We should not dismiss the possibility of eradicating COVID-19: Comparisons with smallpox and polio.
BMJ Global Health, 6(8), e006810.
Links to an external site.
World Health Organization. (n.d.).
Poliomyelitis (polio).
Links to an external site.
