COVID-19 and the History of Pandemics: Smallpox

Smallpox was one of humanity’s most feared diseases, with symptoms including severe fever, excruciating body aches, and a disfiguring rash of pus-filled blisters. You probably know someone who still bears the scar of a smallpox vaccination—a symbol of standard 20th century public health practice until the 1970s, when this deadly disease was eradicated worldwide. Although preventable by means of inoculation, there is no treatment for smallpox, which is caused by a virus, and is spread through direct contact with someone who is infected, or though exposure to contaminated objects such as bedding. This course traces the disease’s harrowing history, from ancient outbreaks that scarred mummified remains to its role in major historical events like the American Revolution. You’ll also explore the global vaccination campaign that eliminated smallpox, offering lessons in international cooperation and public health innovation. By examining smallpox’s history, we gain insight into how its eradication has shaped modern pandemic responses and how its lessons can inform today’s fight against COVID-19 and beyond.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the mechanisms of smallpox transmission and containment.
• Learn how global efforts eradicated the disease.
• Evaluate how lessons from smallpox can guide responses to COVID-19 and future pandemics.

Prior Learning

This noncredit course is beginner-friendly, with no prior expertise required. However, to ensure success, students should:

• Be comfortable reading and understanding English, as all materials are provided in English.
• Have basic computer skills, including navigating the internet, downloading/uploading files, installing software, and using applications like Microsoft Word.

These foundational skills will help you engage fully with our primarily online courses.

About the Series

This is the third course of the COVID-19 and the History of Pandemics series. This series offers a deep dive into six pandemics that profoundly altered human history. This interdisciplinary exploration connects the dots between scientific advances, cultural shifts, and governmental policies, revealing how societies have historically confronted widespread disease. By enrolling in the entire series, you’ll gain a nuanced perspective on pandemics as recurring phenomena, equipping you with a broader understanding of how past events inform present and future challenges. Together, these courses reveal the resilience, ingenuity, and cautionary tales that pandemics bring to light.