Rahima Banu

Rahima Banu is a significant figure in the history of public health and medicine, particularly in the context of the global eradication of smallpox. Born in 1972 in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), Banu was the last known person to be infected with naturally occurring Variola major, the most severe form of smallpox, in 1975. Her case marked a pivotal moment in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Smallpox Eradication Program.

Early Life and Smallpox Infection[edit | edit source]

Rahima Banu was born in Kuralia, a village in the Bhola District of Bangladesh. In 1975, at the age of three, she was diagnosed with smallpox. At this time, the WHO was in the final stages of its intensive global campaign to eradicate the disease, which had plagued humanity for thousands of years. Banu's case quickly gained international attention, as it represented the last known natural transmission of Variola major.

The Eradication Effort[edit | edit source]

The discovery of Banu's infection led to a massive containment effort in her village and the surrounding areas. Health workers and volunteers vaccinated thousands of people to prevent the spread of the virus. The WHO, along with local health authorities, implemented a rigorous program of quarantine and vaccination, known as "ring vaccination," to isolate the virus. This strategy was a critical component of the smallpox eradication campaign, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated global health initiatives.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Rahima Banu's recovery, without any treatment other than vaccination of those around her to contain the spread, was a testament to the success of the smallpox vaccination campaign. In 1980, the WHO officially declared smallpox eradicated, making it the first disease to be eliminated through human efforts. Banu's case is often cited in medical and public health literature as a landmark event in the history of infectious disease control. Following her recovery, Banu lived a relatively private life. Her story, however, remains a powerful example of the potential for global cooperation in addressing public health challenges. It also highlights the importance of vaccination and the impact of disease eradication efforts on individual lives and communities.