CHEQUERED HISTORY OF EPIDEMICS IN INDIA

India's battle with infectious diseases intertwines ancient beliefs, like goddess Shitala's powers, with modern triumphs like smallpox eradication and groundbreaking vaccines.

- Ruchira Talapatra

India has a long history of combating infectious diseases, with smallpox being one of the earliest documented viral illnesses. Ancient Indian texts, such as the Sushruta Samhita (circa 6th century BCE), describe a disease resembling smallpox, indicating its presence in the region for millennia. These texts show that India was aware of infectious diseases long before modern medicine, utilizing various methods to manage outbreaks.

Smallpox, one of the most devastating diseases, existed globally for thousands of years, affecting civilizations across the world. The historical context of smallpox in India reflects the country's early awareness of public health issues.

SMALLPOX

Smallpox, highly infectious with no known cure at the time, has a documented history in India as far back as 1350 BCE. Archaeological studies have found evidence of smallpox in the study of Egyptian mummies, which suggests that the disease was widespread and known across ancient civilizations. In India, smallpox outbreaks caused widespread mortality and affected various regions, contributing to the development of early medical systems.

The Indian National Smallpox Eradication Programme (NSEP) was founded in 1962 with the ambitious goal of vaccinating the entire population within three years. However, this initiative initially failed due to lack of coverage and challenges in reaching remote areas. The policy was adjusted in 1964, focusing on regions with higher incidence rates, such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. Despite early setbacks, the NSEP's revised strategy proved effective. After years of sustained vaccination campaigns and public health awareness, India became one of the key players in the global smallpox eradication effort. The Indian program succeeded in eradicating smallpox by 1977, following the global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO).

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SMALLPOX VACCINE