On June 5, 1981, the United States reported the first case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a disease that has since become a major global health concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first cases of the illness now known as AIDS were reported in Los Angeles. Five young homosexual men were diagnosed with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and other opportunistic infections. Since then, the US has reported over 100,000 cases of AIDS and more than 59,000 AIDS-related deaths to the CDC.
In India, the year 1974 saw a devastating smallpox epidemic that claimed the lives of thousands. The epidemic broke out in January 1971, and by the mid of that year, the country was witnessing one of its worst health emergencies. According to media reports, the viral disease had infected around 188,000 people and resulted in the deaths of 31,000 people. The previous year, vaccination programs, improved vaccination techniques, and enhanced surveillance and investigation strategies had reduced smallpox transmission in most of the country, except for a few states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
The smallpox epidemic in India highlighted the importance of public health measures in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. The government’s efforts to contain the epidemic included mass vaccination campaigns, isolation of infected individuals, and improved sanitation measures. These measures helped to control the spread of the disease and eventually led to its eradication from India in 1977.
The first case of AIDS and the smallpox epidemic in India are stark reminders of the devastating impact that infectious diseases can have on public health. These events also highlight the importance of ongoing efforts to combat infectious diseases through vaccination, surveillance, and public health measures.
