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International and Global Commissions for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication


International Commissions conducted rigorous certification procedures in countries that were endemic at the beginning of the Smallpox Eradication Programme in 1967, or had become endemic since then. For all countries except Iraq and Syria, where the Global Commission required additional information, certification occurred at the end of the meeting dates shown.

Detailed country procedures: Smallpox and Its Eradication, Chapters 24-26. International Commission members: Chapter 24, pp 1140-6.


1978Methodology for preparation of appropriate data for the 31 countries remaining to be certified free of smallpoxSmallpox unit, WHOSME/78.6PDF
1980 Places visited and persons examined in preparation for and during visits by International Comm for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication Smallpox unit, WHO SME/80.4 PDF

South America — 12-25 Aug 1973

Year Title Source
1971 Report to the Commission for the Assessment of the Smallpox Eradication Program in the Americas: Paraguay SE/WP/71.18
1971 Report to the Commission for the Assessment of the Smallpox Eradication Program in the Americas: Argentina SE/WP/71.25
1971 Report to the Commission for the Assessment of the Smallpox Eradication Program in the Americas: Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru SE/WP/71.27
1971 Report to the Commission for the Assessment of the Smallpox Eradication Program in the Americas: Bolivia SE/WP/71.29
1971 Report to the Commission for the Assessment of the Smallpox Eradication Program in the Americas: Brazil, Chile SE/WP/71.48
1971 Report to the Commission for the Assessment of the Smallpox Eradication Program in the Americas: Venezuela SE/WP/71.51
1971 Report to the Commission for the Assessment of the Smallpox Eradication Program in the Americas: Suriname, Uruguay SE/WP/71.56
1971 Report to the Commission for the Assessment of the Smallpox Eradication Program in the Americas: Guyana SE/WP/71.58
1973 Report of the Commission for the Assessment of the Smallpox Eradication Program in the Americas PAHO/CD.22.19

Indonesia — 15-25 Apr 1974

Year Title Author Source
1974 Report of the WHO International Commission on Assessment of Smallpox Eradication in Indonesia, 25 April 1974 WHO/SE/74.68 PDF

Western Africa — 23 Mar-15 Apr 1976

Countries included: Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Upper Volta (Burkina Faso)

Year Title Source
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Benin SE/WP/75.10 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Republic of Ivory Coast SE/WP/75.2 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Gambia SE/WP/75.11 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Ghana SE/WP/75.12 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Republic of Guinea SE/WP/75.1 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Republic of Guinea-Bissau SE/WP/75.15 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Liberia SE/WP/75.9 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Republic of Mali SE/WP/75.3 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Mauritania SE/WP/75.13 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Niger SE/WP/75.14 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Nigeria SE/WP/75.4 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Senegal SE/WP/75.5 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Sierra Leone. SE/WP/75.6 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Togo SE/WP/75.7 PDF
1975 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Western Africa: Upper Volta SE/WP/75.8 PDF
1976 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Upper Volta AFR/Smallpox/80

Afghanistan — 22-29 Nov 1976
Pakistan — 6-18 Dec 1976

Year Title Authors Source
1976 Variolation in Punjab
Report for the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Pakistan
Ullah IC PAK/PUN/WP/76.12 PDF
1977 Report of the International Commission for the Assessment of Smallpox Eradication in Afghanistan WHO/SE/77.89 PDF
1977 Report of the International Commission for the Assessment of Smallpox Eradication in Pakistan WHO/SE/77.90 PDF

Central Africa — 6-30 Jun 1977

Countries included: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, and Zaire (DR Congo)

Year Title Source
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Burundi SE/CAC/77.1
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: United Republic of Cameroon SE/CAC/77.2
1977 >Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Central African Republic SE/CAC/77.4
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Chad SE/CAC/77.8
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Congo SE/CAC/77.3
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Equatorial Guinea SE/CAC/77.6
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Gabon SE/CAC/77.5
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Rwanda SE/CAC/77.7
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Zaire (DR Congo) SE/CAC/77.9
1977 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, United Republic of Cameroon, Zaire AFR/Smallpox/86

India — 4-23 Apr 1977
Nepal — 4-13 Apr 1977
Bhutan — 28 Mar-1 Apr 1977; 22 Apr 1977

Year Title Author Source
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in India SEA/Smallpox/77
1977 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in India SEA/Smallpox/78
Indian J Public Health 1978 22(1):8-15
1977 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Nepal SEA/Smallpox/79
1977 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Bhutan SEA/Smallpox/80

Burma — 21-30 Nov 1977

Year Title Source
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Burma SEA/Smallpox/81
1977 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Burma SEA/Smallpox/83

Bangladesh — 1-14 Dec 1977

Year Title Source
1976 Documentation for International Commission. Bangladesh Smallpox Eradication Programme. Status Report 1 Jun 1976 DA Henderson personal papers PDF
1977 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Bangladesh SEA/Smallpox/82
1977Eradication of smallpox in Bangladesh. Report of the International Smallpox Assessment Commission, 1-14 Dec 1977SEA/Smallpox/84PDF

Malawi, Mozambique, United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia — 6-29 Mar 1978

Year Title Source
1978 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Malawi SE/SEAC/78.1A, 1B
1978 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Mozambique SE/SEAC/78.2A, 2B
1978 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Tanzania SE/SEAC/78.3A, 3B
1978 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia AFR/Smallpox/87

Iraq — 5-15 Oct 1978
Syrian Arab Republic — 15-22 Oct 1978

Year Title Author Source
1978 Report to the members of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Iraq Min of Health, Iraq; WHO WHO/SE/78.114 PDF
1978 Report to the members of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Syrian Arab Republic Min of Health, Syrian Arab Republic; WHO WHO/SE/78.111 PDF
1978 Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, 1st meeting, 4-7 December 1978 WHO/SE/78.132 pp 7,10 PDF
– Additional visit and report to each country by the International Commission required
1978 Visit report of the members of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Iraq, 5-15 October 1978 WHO/SE/78.127 PDF
1978 Visit report of the members of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Syrian Arab Republic, 15-22 October 1978 WHO/SE/78.126 PDF
Iraq certified as smallpox-free by International Commission on 17 Apr 1979
Syrian Arab Republic certified as smallpox-free by International Commission on 22 Oct 1979

Uganda — 11-27 Oct 1978

Year Title Source
1978 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Uganda SE/UGA/78.1A, 1B
1978 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Uganda AFR/Smallpox/88

Sudan — 15-29 Nov 1978

Year Title Source
1979 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in the Sudan, 15-29 November 1978 WHO/SE/79.134 PDF

Angola — 5-16 Feb 1979

Year Title Source
1979 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Angola SE/ANG/79.1A,1B
1979 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Angola AFR/Smallpox/89

Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland — 5-23 Mar 1979

Year Title Source
1979 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland SE/BLS/79.1A, 1B
1979 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland AFR/Smallpox/90

Democratic Republic of Yemen — 3-11 Jun 1979

Year Title Author Source
1979 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, April 1979 Min of Public Health, People's Dem Rep of Yemen; WHO WHO/SE/79.136 PDF
1979 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, 3-11 June 1979 WHO/SE/79.140 PDF

Yemen Arab Republic 2-10 Jun 1979

Year Title Author Source
1978 Smallpox eradication in the Yemen Arab Republic: Status report, November 1976 SME/78.23 PDF
1979 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in the Yemen Arab Republic, June 1979 Min of Health, Yemen Arab Republic; WHO (Steinglass RC) WHO/SE/79.138 PDF
1979 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in the Yemen Arab Republic, 2-10 June 1979 WHO/SE/79.139 PDF

Djibouti — 9-18 Oct 1979

Year Title Author Source
1979 Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Republic of Djibouti. October 1979 Min of Health, Rep of Djibouti; WHO (Ryst JP) WHO/SE/79.143 PDF
1979 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Djibouti, 9-18 October 1979 WHO/SE/79.147 PDF

Ethiopia — Preliminary assessment 3-18 Apr 1979; Final assessment 1-19 Oct 1979

Year Title Author Source
1979 Smallpox Eradication in Ethiopia. Report to the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication Min of Health, Ethiopia; WHO (Tekeste Y, Hailu A, do Amaral C Jr, Arbani PR, Khodakevich LN, Ward NA; Wickett J, ed) WHO/SE/79.144 PDF
1979 Report of the International Commission for Preliminary Assessment of Smallpox Eradication in Ethiopia, 3-18 April 1978 SME/79.6 PDF
1979 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Ethiopia, 1-17 October 1979 WHO/SE/79.148 PDF

Kenya — 1-19 Oct 1979

Year Title Author Source
1979 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Kenya, 1-19 October 1979 WHO/SE/79.149 PDF

Somalia — 1-21 Oct 1979

Year Title Author Source
1979 Smallpox eradication in Somalia. Report to the International Commission on the Smallpox Eradication Programme in Somalia Min of Health, Somalia (Deria A); WHO (Ježek Z, Al Aghbari MK, Hatfield R, Tulloch J, ed) WHO/SE/79.145 PDF
1979 Report of the International Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication in Somalia, 1-21 October 1979 WHO/SE/79.146 PDF


The international credibility of global eradication rested on the assurance that smallpox was absent from all countries. The Director-General of WHO convened a Consultation on Worldwide Certification of Smallpox Eradication. Participants (see Smallpox and It Eradication, Ch 24:1146-7) were 17 experts on epidemiology, virology, and public health administration from 15 countries. The consultation determined that 79 countries required certification by International Commission. Non-endemic countries where importations had occurred or were likely to occur were visited by WHO experts/consultants and/or submitted detailed country reports. These countries are listed below. For detailed country procedures, see Smallpox and Its Eradication, Chapters 26 and 27.

The Consultation recommended establishment of an International Commission for the Global Certification of Smallpox Eradication. The Global Commission included most members of the consultation, almost all of whom had served on International Commissions, as well as other appointees from International Commissions. The Global Commission met first in Dec 1978. At its final meeting in Dec 1979, it certified global smallpox eradication and issued its final report and recommendations for post-eradication activities.

Non-endemic countries not at high risk of importations submitted Declarations of Smallpox-Free Status.


Commission Reports

Year Title Authors Source
1977 Report of the Consultation on Worldwide Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Geneva, Switzerland, 11-13 Oct 1977 WHO/SE/77.98
1978Methodology for preparation of appropriate data for the 31 countries remaining to be certified free of smallpoxSmallpox unit, WHOSME/78.6PDF
1978 Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, 1st meeting, 4-7 December 1978 WHO/SE/78.132 PDF
1979 The Achievement of Global Eradication of Smallpox : Final Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication WHO/SE/79.152 PDF
– Summary Summary of WHO/SE/79.152 PDF

Arab Countries of the Gulf Area

Year Title Authors Source
1978 Report to the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Bahrain Min of Health, Bahrain; WHO WHO/SE/78.115 PDF
1978 Report to the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Kuwait Min of Health, Kuwait; WHO WHO/SE/78.119 PDF
1978 Report to the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Oman Min of Health, Oman; WHO WHO/SE/78.117 PDF
1978 Report to the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Qatar Min of Health, Qatar; WHO WHO/SE/78.116 PDF
1978 Report to the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Saudi Arabia Min of Health, Saudi Arabia; WHO WHO/SE/78.122 PDF
1978 Report to the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication, United Arab Emirates Min of Health, United Arab Emirates; WHO WHO/SE/78.118 PDF
1978 Report to the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication on the smallpox-free status of the Arab countries of the Gulf Area Rangaraj AG WHO/SE/78.121 PDF
1978 Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, 1st meeting, 4-7 December 1978 WHO/SE/78.132:6,21 PDF

Iran

Year Title Authors Source
1978 Smallpox eradication in Iran Imperial Min of Health and Welfare, Govt of Iran; WHO WHO/SE/78.120 PDF
1978 The special programme to confirm smallpox eradication in Iran Brilliant LB WHO/SE/78.129 PDF
1978 Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, 1st meeting, 4-7 December 1978 WHO/SE/78.132:7,21 PDF

Namibia (South-West Africa), Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)

Year Title Authors Source
1978 Report on a visit to the Republic of South Africa and Namibia/South West Africa, 19 January - 19 February 1978 Fenner F SME/78.14 PDF
1978 Final report on the status of smallpox eradication in Namibia GC/WP/78.6
1978 Smallpox eradication programme. Report on a visit to Southern Rhodesia, 10-30 January 1978 Grasset NC, Meiklejohn G WHO/SE/78.108 PDF
1978 Report on facial pockmark and vaccination scar surveys, Southern Rhodesia, February - April 1978. Summary of results of specimen testing by WHO Reference Laboratory Govt Health Services, Southern Rhodesia WHO/SE/78.110 PDF
1978 Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, 1st meeting, 4-7 December 1978 WHO/SE/78.132:6,21 PDF

Lao People's Republic, Thailand, Vietnam

Year Title Authors Source
1978 Report on a visit to Thailand in preparation for the certification of smallpox eradication, May 1978 Basu RN WHO/SE/78.109 PDF
1978 Smallpox eradication in Thailand. [Statement to the Global Commission for the Certification of Eradication of Smallpox] Min of Public Health, Govt of Thailand; WHO WHO/SE/78.113 PDF
1978 Report to the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Min of Health, Socialist Rep of Viet Nam; WHO, Western Pacific Regional Office WHO/SE/78.133 PDF
1978 Report to the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication—Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Annex 6 SME/78.26 PDF
1978 Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, 1st meeting, 4-7 December 1978 WHO/SE/78.132:7,21 PDF

Madagascar, South Africa

Year Title Authors Source
1978 Final report on the smallpox situation in Madagascar Islam Z WHO/SE/78.124 PDF
1978 Report on a visit to the Republic of South Africa and Namibia/South West Africa, 19 January - 19 February 1978 Fenner F SME/78.14 PDF
1979 Final report on the status of smallpox eradication in South Africa GC/WP/78.5
1978 Final Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Dec 1979 WHO/SE/79.152 PDF

Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia

Year Title Authors Source
1978 Report on a visit to Ethiopia by Members of the Global Commission for Smallpox Eradication, 31 May - 15 June 1978 Dumbell KR, Shrestha P SME/78.11 PDF
1979 Report to the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication: Kenya Min of Health, Kenya; WHO WHO/SE/79.141 PDF
1978 Smallpox eradication in Somalia: Status report, 1 Oct 1978 WHO/SE/78.128 PDF
1978 Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, 1st meeting, 4-7 December 1978 WHO/SE/78.132:7,21 PDF

China, Autonomous Region of Tibet (PROC)

Year Title Authors Source
1979 Special report on smallpox and its eradication in Yunnan Province, China Dept of Health, Yunnan Province SME/79.10 PDF
1979 Report on a visit to the People's Republic of China to consider matters relating to the certification of smallpox eradication, 14-30 July 1979 F Fenner, JG Breman SME/79.11 PDF
1979 Smallpox eradication in China. Report submitted to WHO, 31 Jul 1979 Govt of People's Rep of China WHO/SE/79.142 Rev 1 PDF
1979 Supplementary information to the report on smallpox eradication in China GC.WP/79.5 PDF
1979 Smallpox eradication in the Autonomous Region of Tibet in the People's Republic of China Govt of People's Rep of China WHO/SE/79.151 PDF
1978 Final Report of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, Dec 1979 WHO/SE/79.152 PDF

Documents related to post-eradication recommendations of the Global Commission

Year Title Authors Source
1978 Report of informal consultation on monkeypox, whitepox and related poxviruses, Geneva, 9-10 November 1978 SME/78.20 PDF
1979 Report of the Meeting of the Study Group on Orthopoxvirus Research, Atlanta, 26-28 June 1979 SME/79.9 PDF
1979 Report of the Consultation on the Justification for the Retention and Use of Variola Virus in the Post-Eradication Era WHO/SE/79.135 PDF
1979 Report of Meeting of Officials from Laboratories retaining Variola Virus and National Control Authorities Concerned, 23--24 April 1979 WHO/SE/79.137 PDF