[1954-1955: Smallpox epidemic in Brittany].
The 1945-1955 smallpox epidemic was the last in Europe while until 1977 there were numerous epidemics each year in East-Africa, South Asia, and Vietnam. In 1954 the disease was brought in France by a soldier who came back from Vietnam. As his child was sent to hospital in Vannes the illness spread out of the hospital due to a lack of preventive vaccination among the child population. Some members of the medical staff were ill and one of them died. Severe measures were undertaken and the virus disappeared four months after the beginning of the epidemic in Finistere and two months in Morbihan. On the other hand the preventive vaccination was very efficient except for the first cases. Isn't an argument in favour of vaccination for all young members of aid agencies?
Goursolas
François
F
D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000266:history*; D005602:France; D049673:History, 20th Century; D012899:Smallpox / Q000266:history*