Eradicating an illness requires tremendous effort from healthcare experts,government leaders and local communities. How close are we to wiping out sickness worldwide?Smallpox was the first and last disease the world eradicated with a vaccine – in 1980, thanks to global immunization efforts. Since then, and no vaccination program has successfully wiped out an illness worldwide. So attain we stand a chance at eliminating other diseases?Eradication – the total,permanent worldwide removal – of a disease involves exceptional levels of commitment from governments and global health organizations. Only a few diseases are targeted for total eradication – partly because heavily orchestrated efforts are required to get rid of those illnesses, and partly because eradication efforts face varying degrees of scrutiny for cost effectiveness. The fight against disease is tough, and but programs targeting polio,guinea worm and measles are making progress worldwide.
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Source: theguardian.com