Annual Report - Department of Health and Ageing Annual Report 2008-09

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The cover features an image of smallpox.

Smallpox is a contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus family, and only infects humans. It is believed to have originated over 3,000 years ago in India or Egypt, and is one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity. The disease killed as many as 30 per cent of those infected and left 65–80 per cent of survivors with deep pitted scars (pockmarks), most prominently on the face. Smallpox killed Queen Mary II of England, Emperor Joseph I of Austria, King Luis I of Spain, Tsar Peter II of Russia, Queen Ulrika Elenora of Sweden, and King Louis XV of France.

The World Health Organization launched an intensified plan to eradicate smallpox in 1967, which first restricted it to the horn of Africa, then to a final naturally occurring case in Somalia in 1977, with a further laboratory case in the United Kingdom in 1978. A commission of scientists certified the global eradication of smallpox in December 1979, which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 1980. The main reason why smallpox could be eradicated is that it is a human disease.

Enquiries

If you would like to comment on this Annual Report, or have any queries, please contact the Editor at:
The Editor
Department of Health and Ageing
2008–09 Annual Report (MDP 51)
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 2 6289 7181
Fax: +61 2 6289 4988
Email: annrep@health.gov.au

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Alternative Formats

This Annual Report is available electronically on the Department of Health and Ageing website, at www.health.gov.au. The internet version contains links to the 2008–09 Health and Ageing Portfolio Budget Statements.

This document is also available in other formats by contacting the Editor.

Acknowledgements

Coordinators: Maria Sollazzo, Andrew Turner, Elsa Aitchison, Lauren Walden, Karlie Brown, Melanie Cullen, Andrew Liszczynsky and Paul Halloran.

Design: Papercut Pty Limited
Printing: Paragon Printers Australasia

Copyright

ISSN 1447-8722
ISBN 1-74186-974-9
Publications Number: P3-5623

© Commonwealth of Australia 2009
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney-General’s Department, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600 or posted at www.ag.gov.au/cca.
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Department of Health and Ageing Annual Report 2008-09

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