Three minutes to talk about popular science
Trivia in this issue
Humanity has suffered the worst virus in history:
Smallpox virus: Smallpox is an ancient virus that once killed millions of people worldwide. In the 20th century, the development and vaccination of smallpox vaccines led to the use of the virus.
Spanish flu virus: The Spanish flu is an influenza virus of the H1N1 subtype that killed about 50 million people worldwide between 1918 and 1919.
HIV: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that causes AIDS and has killed millions of people worldwide since the 80s of the 20th century.
Ebola virus: Ebola virus is a deadly virus that is predominantly endemic in Africa. Between 2014 and 2016, Ebola outbreaks killed more than 11,000 people in West Africa.
What viruses have mankind completely eradicated:
In addition to the smallpox virus, rinderpest virus and polio virus have also been completely eradicated.
Rinderpest virus is a virus that causes rinderpest and has caused a large number of cattle deaths and economic losses worldwide. At the beginning of the 20th century, scientists developed an effective rinderpest vaccine and began to roll out vaccinations worldwide. Through mass vaccination, the rinderpest virus was eventually eradicated worldwide.
The poliovirus is a polio-causing virus that has caused a large number of child deaths and disabilities worldwide. In the 50s of the 20th century, scientists developed an effective polio vaccine and began to roll out vaccination worldwide. Through mass vaccination, the polio virus was eventually eradicated worldwide.
The eradication of these viruses is an important milestone in the history of human public health, demonstrating the power of global cooperation and science and technology, and also providing valuable experience and inspiration for the prevention and control of other infectious diseases.