What disease does not exist anymore?

The Only Human Disease We Completely Wiped Out

Throughout human history, infectious diseases have shaped societies, triggered crises, and claimed countless lives. Yet, through modern medicine and coordinated global efforts, humanity achieved an unprecedented milestone: the complete eradication of smallpox. Today, it remains the only human infectious disease that no longer exists in nature.

Caused by the variola virus, smallpox was once a devastating illness characterized by high fever, severe fatigue, and distinctive skin rashes. For centuries, it caused widespread epidemics, killing millions and leaving survivors with permanent scarring or blindness. That changed dramatically in the 20th century. Thanks to a highly effective vaccine and an intense, worldwide immunization campaign led by the World Health Organization, the last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in 1977. In 1980, smallpox was officially declared eradicated globally.

While other diseases like polio and guinea worm disease are currently on the brink of extinction, they still persist in a few isolated regions. Smallpox stands alone as a powerful testament to what global public health collaboration can achieve when science and determination align.