When was the worst outbreak of smallpox?

When was the worst outbreak of smallpox?

A particularly virulent sequence of smallpox outbreaks took place in Boston, Massachusetts. From 1636 to 1698, Boston endured six epidemics. In 1721, the most severe epidemic occurred….Epidemics in the Americas.

What started the smallpox epidemic?

Historians trace the global spread of smallpox to the growth of civilizations and exploration. Expanding trade routes over the centuries also led to the spread of the disease.

When was the smallpox epidemic in England?

A strikingly large smallpox epidemic occurred in London from 1837 to 1838 and exploded into a European wide pandemic [2]. The authorities in England realized that some radical measures had to be taken, which led to the first Vaccination Act of 1840, providing vaccination free of charge and banning variolation.

What was the worst pandemic in history?

1918 flu: 50-100 million (1918-1920)

How did the smallpox epidemic end?

Thanks to the success of vaccination, the last natural outbreak of smallpox in the United States occurred in 1949. In 1980, the World Health Assembly declared smallpox eradicated (eliminated), and no cases of naturally occurring smallpox have happened since.

Who brought smallpox to America?

Smallpox is believed to have arrived in the Americas in 1520 on a Spanish ship sailing from Cuba, carried by an infected African slave. As soon as the party landed in Mexico, the infection began its deadly voyage through the continent.

How many deaths did smallpox cause?

One of history’s deadliest diseases, smallpox is estimated to have killed more than 300 million people since 1900 alone. But a massive global vaccination campaign put an end to the disease in 1977—making it the first disease ever eradicated.

When did smallpox hit America?

1633-1634: Smallpox from European settlers Smallpox came to North America in the 1600s. Symptoms included high fever, chills, severe back pain, and rashes. It began in the Northeast and the Native American population was ravaged by it as it spread to the west.

How long did the smallpox pandemic last?

The Black Death, which hit Europe in 1347, claimed an astonishing 25 million lives in just four years. Some historians estimate the disease led to even higher death tolls—up to 200 million.

When did smallpox end in UK?

The disease had been all but eradicated, and had ceased to be endemic in the United Kingdom since the 1930s.

What disease has caused the most deaths in history?

1. The Black Death: Bubonic Plague. The Black Death ravaged most of Europe and the Mediterranean from 1346 until 1353. Over 50 million people died, more than 60% of Europe’s entire population at the time.