Ever since Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine for smallpox, scientists have been working on ways to boost immunity to other diseases. Although Jenner’s breakthrough came in 1796, it took almost two centuries before smallpox was eradicated. It remains the only human disease to have been fully wiped out by vaccination but the prevalence of many other illnesses has been dramatically reduced following immunisation programmes.
Diseases
Last modified
June 22, 2021 @ 12:43 PM
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is the second biggest cause of female cancer worldwide.… Read more
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV).… Read more
Cholera
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by consuming the bacterium Vibrio cholera which can be present in contaminated food or water.… Read more
COVID-19
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) is an infectious illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It was identified in late 2019. The disease spread rapidly around the world and was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation in March 2020.Most people infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 experience mild to moderate respiratory symptoms. The most… Read more
Dengue fever
Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease and in recent years has become a major international public health concern, according to the WHO.… Read more
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an infectious disease affecting the nose, throat and sometimes the skin. It is caused by a bacterium which is spread by coughing and sneezing.… Read more
Flu
Influenza is caused by a viral infection which mainly affects the nose, throat, bronchi and, in some cases the lungs.… Read more
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is characterized by inflammation of the liver, generally caused by a viral infection.… Read more
Meningitis
Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.… Read more
Mumps
The mumps is usually a mild childhood disease affecting primarily the salivary glands… Read more
Pertussis (Whooping cough)
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a life-threatening disease causing coughing spasms and inflammation in the nose and throat.… Read more
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung, most commonly caused by infection, which causes the microscopic air sacs to fill up with fluid impairing the supply of oxygen to the body’s tissues.… Read more
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is a contagious viral illness that in its most severe form can cause paralysis, difficulty breathing and sometimes death.… Read more
Rabies
Rabies is a ‘zoonotic’ disease meaning it is caused by a virus which can be passed from animals to humans.… Read more
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children around the world.… Read more
Rubella
Rubella is a contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive red rash. You may also have heard rubella referred to as ‘German measles’ or ‘three-day measles’.… Read more
Shingles
Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by a virus. The rash usually appears in a band or patch on one side of the face or body.… Read more
Smallpox
Smallpox is a contagious, disfiguring and often deadly disease caused by the variola virus.… Read more
Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that affects the nervous system, leading to painful muscle contractions, particularly of the jaw and neck muscles.… Read more
Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE)
Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease transmitted primarily by tick bites, but also by consumption of non-pasteurised milk and milk products from infected animals (especially goats).… Read more
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is spread through the air when infected individuals sneeze or cough.… Read more
Yellow fever
Yellow fever (YF) is a viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.… Read more