HISTORICAL DOCUMENT SHEDS LIGHT ON THE HISTORY OF SMALLPOX IN TANZANIA

ADELADIUS MAKWEGA

President Office– Department of Records and Archives Management-Dodoma

 

The document shown above is a letter written by a government official at the lower administrative level, specifically from Mvumi Ward in Dodoma Region, informing the District Commissioner of Dodoma about an outbreak of SMALLPOX in the Mvumi area on November 9, 1961.

 

This is among the historical documents that have been preserved by the Office of the President, Department of Records and Archives, for more than 65 years.

The document also explains how local government officials at the lower administrative levels communicated with senior government leaders following outbreaks of dangerous diseases such as SMALLPOX.

 

Furthermore, the document provides insight into how the Government of Tanzania and the international community were working to combat the disease.

Smallpox was officially declared eradicated worldwide on December 9, 1979. Five months later, in May 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Assembly issued an official declaration confirming that the disease had been eradicated globally.

 

Health experts explain that:

"There are various types of pox diseases affecting humans and animals, including monkeys and chickens. However, pox diseases affecting animals and birds still exist."

 

Smallpox has a significant place in Tanzania's history. Many Tanzanians, particularly those born during the period when smallpox vaccination was administered, have a distinctive vaccination scar on the upper arm, near the shoulder. This mark resulted from a vaccination technique known as scarification.

The key question is: Can chickenpox and monkeypox be transmitted to humans?

According to scientific information, fowlpox does not infect humans, whereas monkeypox viruses can infect humans. However, the disease is monitored and controlled through public health systems.

Historical records indicate that smallpox was among the deadliest diseases in human history.

 

It is estimated that the disease caused approximately 300 million deaths during the 20th century alone. Historical accounts suggest that smallpox existed as far back as approximately 10,000 BC.

 

Historical evidence associated with the disease has also been identified on the body of Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses V, who died in 1157 BC. His remains bore marks resembling smallpox lesions.

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