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The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN postal agency have released a commemorative postage stamp on the 40th anniversary of smallpox eradication.
“To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the #smallpox eradication, the @UN Postal Administration and the WHO are launching a commemorative postage stamp to recognize global solidarity in the fight against smallpox,” WHO tweeted in the virtual presentation of the stamp in Geneva on Friday.
“To commemorate the 40th anniversary of #smallpox eradication, the @UNITED NATIONS The Postal Administration and WHO are releasing a commemorative postage stamp to recognize global solidarity in the fight against smallpox “-@DrTedros pic.twitter.com/X0WwvZxZmI
– World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 8, 2020
In another tweet, it read: “#OnThisDay 40 years ago, #smallpox made history. It is the only human disease eradicated so far. One lesson we must take is: When the Europe-Africa globe unites behind scientific and public health measures, we can overcome disease and protect lives and livelihoods. “
#In this day 40 years ago, #smallpox History was made.
It is the only human disease eradicated so far.
One lesson we must take is: when the 🌍 unites behind science and public health measures, we can overcome disease and protect lives and livelihoods. pic.twitter.com/9GgNwtI0wg
– World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 8, 2020
Smallpox was eradicated in the wake of a 10-year WHO-led effort that involved thousands of health workers worldwide to administer 500 million vaccines.
“When the WHO smallpox eradication campaign was launched in 1967, one of the ways that countries raised awareness about smallpox was through postage stamps, when social networks like Twitter and Facebook were not even on the horizon, “said the Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) -said General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The seal recognizes global solidarity in the fight against smallpox and honors millions of people who work together, from world leaders and international organizations to rural doctors and community health workers, to eradicate smallpox.
The WHO chief said that many of the basic public health tools that were used successfully to eradicate smallpox are the same tools that have been used to respond to Ebola and Covid – 19: disease surveillance, case finding, location of contacts and mass communication campaigns. to inform affected populations.
The WHO is now working with many partners to develop a Covid-19 vaccine to control transmission of the virus, Ghebreyesus said.
The UN said the successful smallpox eradication program provided vital knowledge and tools for the field of disease surveillance, the benefits of vaccination and the importance of health promotion in the fight against other diseases.
In May 1980, the 33rd World Health Assembly issued its official declaration that “the world and all its peoples have been freed from smallpox.”
“There are many lessons to be learned from smallpox eradication that can help combat the Covid-19 pandemic today and prepare for future pandemics,” the UN said.
“Smallpox eradication offers us hope and shows us what global solidarity can achieve,” he said.
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