Smallpox Eradication Leader Dr. William Foege Dies, Leaving a Legacy and Fears of Backslide
Dr. William Foege, a key figure in eradicating smallpox, has passed away at 89. Foege’s “ring containment” strategy, developed while working in Nigeria, proved pivotal in containing outbreaks and ultimately ridding the world of the deadly disease. As director of the CDC and later in leadership roles, Foege’s work prevented hundreds of millions of deaths, earning him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His legacy includes being hailed as the “Father of Global Health” for his dedication to improving health worldwide.
John Q. Hosedrinker