William Foege: Who was the epidemiologist who eradicated smallpox and died at 89
William Herbert Foege, a pivotal figure in global public health and a leading force in the eradication of smallpox, died January 24th at the age of 89 in Atlanta, due to heart failure.
A Legacy of Eradication
During the 1970s, Dr. Foege championed a strategy of mass vaccination and surveillance, spearheading a worldwide campaign to eliminate smallpox. He conceived of the “ring vaccination” approach – vaccinating the contacts of confirmed cases – which proved instrumental in containing outbreaks and ultimately eradicating the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared smallpox eradicated in 1980, a monumental achievement for global health.
Early Career and the Eradication Effort
The son of an Iowa pastor, Foege served as a medical missionary for the Lutheran Church in Africa when, in 1966, the WHO launched an international program to eradicate smallpox. Initially managed by the CDC, the program sought to recruit physicians to initiate an eradication project in Nigeria. Foege, having earned a Master of Public Health just the year prior, joined the effort, relocating to Enugu, Nigeria, with his wife and young son.
There, he worked as a consultant alongside Donald A. Henderson, the WHO’s smallpox program director, and Donald Millar, the CDC’s eradication project director in West Africa, training and deploying teams dedicated to vaccinating as many people as possible.
The “Ring Vaccination” Strategy
At the time, West Africa was considered to have the highest rate of smallpox globally. Faced with a limited vaccine supply during an outbreak 145 kilometers east of Enugu in December 1966, Foege proposed a more effective approach. He and his team established a containment ring around the initial outbreak, halting the disease’s spread. He later explained that this strategy, now known as “ring vaccination,” was based on principles learned during summers fighting wildfires in the American West – focusing on containing the core while preventing further propagation.
Continued Contributions to Public Health
Foege joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1962, dedicating himself to combating infectious diseases. He served as director of the CDC from 1977 to 1983. After leaving the CDC, he continued his commitment to global health initiatives, co-founding the Task Force for Child Survival and Development in 1984 to improve child health in developing countries. He collaborated with former President Jimmy Carter to address critical global issues, including disease eradication.
He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 from President Barack Obama, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to public health. He also played a role in the fight against AIDS and, from 1997, was a professor at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.
Foege was a vocal critic of the health policies of the Trump administration and the anti-vaccine positions of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Dr. Foege’s primary contribution to global health?
Dr. Foege was a leading figure in the global effort to eradicate smallpox, developing and implementing the “ring vaccination” strategy that proved crucial to its success.
Where did Dr. Foege first apply the “ring vaccination” strategy?
Dr. Foege first applied the “ring vaccination” strategy during an outbreak of smallpox in Nigeria in December 1966, when vaccine supplies were limited.
What other areas of public health did Dr. Foege contribute to?
Dr. Foege also contributed to the fight against AIDS, served as director of the CDC, and worked to improve child health in developing countries through the Task Force for Child Survival and Development.
Considering Dr. Foege’s dedication to proactive public health measures, how might his approach inform current strategies for addressing emerging infectious diseases?