Final answer:
Smallpox has been declared eliminated worldwide, with the last case reported in 1977, due to successful global vaccination campaigns. It remains the only human infectious disease to have been fully eradicated. Discussions now focus on the ethical considerations of maintaining virus stockpiles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Has Smallpox Been Eliminated Worldwide?,
Smallpox has been one of the most devastating infectious diseases in history, but it now stands as an example of incredible success in public health. Indeed, smallpox has been eliminated worldwide; the last diagnosed case was in 1977. This achievement was made possible by a collaborative global vaccination effort led by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
In addition to smallpox, other diseases such as polio have seen dramatic reductions thanks to vaccination campaigns. However, contrary to smallpox which has been eradicated, polio has not yet been completely eliminated, with cases persisting in some parts of the world. The eradication of smallpox has been a milestone in medical science, to the point that there are now debates over the ethics of maintaining stockpiles of the virus for research or defense purposes.