Smallpox Surveillance -- Worldwide As part of its continuing
commemoration of CDC's 50th anniversary in July 1996, MMWR is
reprinting selected MMWR articles of historical interest to
public health, accompanied by current editorial notes. Reprinted
below are the reports published January 6, 1978, and May 5,
1978, describing the final case of naturally acquired smallpox
and steps toward certifying countries as smallpox-free. A total
of 3,234 cases of smallpox have been reported from Eastern
Africa to the World Health Organization (WHO) in the period
January 1-December 6, 1977. Since October 16, 1975 -- more than
2 years ago -- when a case occurred in Bangladesh, smallpox has
been detected only in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, 3 countries
which together with Djibouti are linked by the Ogaden Desert to
form one epidemiologic unit. To date, the last known case of
smallpox occurred in Somalia on October 26 in the Merca
District. The source of this case was a known outbreak in the
nearby district of Kurtuware. All 2