Lessons from Smallpox Eradication for Health Threats in 2024
The improbable victory over smallpox holds lessons for health threats in 2024. Physician and podcaster Céline Gounder traveled to Bangladesh in 2022 to track down South Asian public health workers who were part of the battle to end smallpox nearly 50 years ago. The podcast captures the remarkable achievements and challenges faced by these public health workers in South Asia, shedding light on a history that was in danger of being lost. By documenting the stories of these unsung heroes, Gounder’s podcast aims to answer the question of how smallpox was defeated and what lessons that victory holds for addressing current health threats.
Alaska Resident Dies from Rare Alaskapox Virus
An Alaska resident has passed away due to complications of a rare virus called Alaskapox, marking the first instance of an Alaskapox infection resulting in hospitalization and death. The virus typically occurs in small animals, with no reports of human-to-human spread. Health officials are working to understand and contain the spread of Alaskapox to prevent further cases and fatalities.