When was the last smallpox (smallpox) patient found in the world?

Appeared in: Bihar CHO -2019

Explanation

The last naturally occurring case of smallpox was identified in October 1977 in Somalia.
This event is considered the primary milestone marking the end of natural transmission of the disease worldwide.
The patient was a hospital cook named Ali Maow Maalin, who survived the infection.

Option B: This year is significant but does not mark the last natural case. In 1978, the last known death from smallpox occurred due to a laboratory-acquired infection in Birmingham, UK.
Option C: In 1979, the WHO's Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication officially certified that the disease had been eradicated, following two years of no reported natural cases.
Option D: This year is not a key milestone in the smallpox eradication timeline. The official declaration of eradication was made in 1980.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Smallpox Eradication Timeline to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Smallpox eradication is the single greatest achievement in global public health, demonstrating the power of vaccination and international cooperation.
Nurses were integral to the eradication campaign through case finding (surveillance), vaccination, and health education.
What if the question asked for the year of official declaration? The answer would be 1980, when the World Health Assembly formally declared the world free of smallpox.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the keywords in the question: 'last smallpox patient' and 'world'.
Recognize that this is a historical public health question that requires knowledge of specific dates.
Differentiate between the various milestones: the last natural case, the last death (which was from a lab accident), the certification of eradication, and the official declaration.
Recall that the 'last patient' in the context of disease transmission refers to the last naturally occurring case.
Select the year 1977, which corresponds to the last natural case of smallpox in Somalia.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 144-146

Practise the full Bihar CHO -2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.