SELECTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGIC CONTROL IN SMALLPOX ERADICATION1

Abstract

Foege, W. H., J. D. Millar and J. M. Lane (CDC, Atlanta, Ga. 30333). Selective epidemiologic control in smallpox eradication. Amer J Epidem 94: 311–315, 1971.—A change of strategy was instituted in the West and Central Africa Smallpox Eradication Program in the fall of 1968. High priority was given to eliminating smallpox foci rather than limiting activities to mass vaccination. The progress of the program since September 1968 shows that the change in emphasis resulted in active surveillance activities which discovered more smallpox cases than the official reporting system. All known smallpox outbreaks were investigated in 1969. Vaccination totals did not suffer from the change in emphasis. The attack on smallpox foci successfully prevented the expected seasonal increase in 1969 and resulted in an interruption of smallpox transmission throughout West and Central Africa.