Smallpox eradicator Donald Henderson died on August 19. During its 87 years of existence, it has dedicated its life to public health.
A “public health giant” has died, according to Michael Klag, dean of the Bloomberg School of Public Health (Baltimore, Maryland, USA). It pays homage to the man who eradicated smallpox, Donald Ainslie Henderson. Died on August 19 at the age of 87, the American led for a decade the program to eradicate this serious infectious disease. A whole life devoted to public health is coming to an end.
At 87, Henderson had a good track record. This trained epidemiologist obtained his medical degrees from the University of Rochester (New York, United States) and the prestigious Johns-Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland, United States). But it was within the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that the scientist earned his stripes.
Smallpox eradicated
From 1960 to 1965, Donald Henderson headed the CDC’s Epidemic Investigation Service. There he developed a smallpox eradication program and notably offered American aid over 5 years. USAID targets 18 countries with the goals of eradicating smallpox – which then affects 10 million people and kills 2 million – and measles control.
This voluntary action led to the epidemiologist joining the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1966 as director of the smallpox eradication campaign. Its strategy: surveillance and containment, in addition to vaccination. Rapid reporting of cases of smallpox and systematic immunization of relatives paid off: the last patient was spotted in Somalia on October 26, 1977. 10 years of coordinated control made it possible to eradicate this infectious disease. She is the only one to date.
AIDS and anthrax
Donald Henderson doesn’t just face smallpox. He also wants to protect the population against other infections. In 1974, he launched the WHO global immunization program. Here again with success: 80% of the planet’s children are now vaccinated against 6 major pathologies.
Dean of Johns Hopkins University from 1977 to 1990, Henderson played the card of research against an emerging disease: AIDS. Thanks to its will, the establishment is one of the most recognized research centers in this field. The specialist is undoubtedly a visionary also in the social field: under his direction, the first female chairs are appointed and he hires the first African-American assistant dean.
“Public health has lost a hero, and we have lost a great friend and a colleague”, greeted in a press release Michael Klag. Because until the end, Donald Henderson dedicated his existence to health threats. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, he joined the public health preparation office. Its role was to reduce the risks associated with possible biochemical attacks, with anthrax in particular.
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