Prevention of smallpox

Smallpox has been prevented in the world by vaccination and public health work. Because the disease is eradicated, there is no routine prevention needed by individuals today.

How it was stopped

• Mass vaccination across countries
• Surveillance to find every new case
• Ring vaccination: vaccinating everyone around a case, so the virus ran out of people to infect
• Isolation of patients until all scabs were gone

Why vaccination stopped Once no natural cases remained, the small risks of the vaccine outweighed the benefit for the public. Routine vaccination in India and elsewhere ended after the 1970s and early 1980s.

If there were ever a case or an attack Health authorities would act immediately. Plans include rapid identification, isolation, vaccination of contacts (vaccine given within about 3 to 4 days of exposure can prevent or lessen illness), and use of antivirals as advised.

What individuals can do

• Follow official public health advice during any outbreak or alert.
• Keep your own vaccinations up to date for other diseases.
• See a doctor early for any unexplained blistering rash with fever.
• Avoid unverified rumours or products.

Laboratory safety Variola stocks are kept under strict international controls. Research is regulated to protect against accidents.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive) Traditional hygiene and cleanliness teachings fit with infection control in general, but they could not stop smallpox on their own.

Call 112 for severe illness.