Dr. William Foege, Smallpox Eradication Pioneer, Dies at 89

ATLANTA (JN) – Dr. William Foege, a leading figure in global public health and a key architect of smallpox eradication, has died at 89, the Task Force for Global Health said Saturday. Foege, who co-founded the organization, helped save hundreds of millions of lives through his innovative work in disease prevention.

A towering figure in public health

Standing 6-foot-7, Foege was known for his calm and analytical approach. He combined medical expertise with strategic thinking to fight infectious diseases. He served as director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1977 to 1983. Later, he held leadership roles at international organizations, including The Carter Center and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Ring vaccination strategy in Nigeria

Foege’s most celebrated work began in the 1960s when he was a medical missionary in Nigeria. There, he developed the “ring containment” strategy to stop smallpox outbreaks. The method identified infected patients and vaccinated everyone they had contact with.

This approach was born of necessity. Vaccine supplies were limited, so mass immunization was not possible. The strategy proved highly effective. The last natural case of smallpox occurred in Somalia in 1977. In 1980, the World Health Organization declared the disease eradicated worldwide.

Former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden called Foege “right up there with the pantheon” of life-saving figures, noting that smallpox eradication alone prevented hundreds of millions of deaths.

Early life and education

Born on March 12, 1936, in Colville, Washington, Foege first became interested in medicine while working at a local drugstore at age 13. He earned his medical degree from the University of Washington in 1961. He later received a master’s in public health from Harvard University in 1965.

Career beyond smallpox

Foege’s influence extended far beyond smallpox. At the CDC, he oversaw programs to address emerging infectious diseases and strengthen public health systems. Later, he worked internationally to build coalitions and apply scientific knowledge to fight disease.

Recognition and legacy

In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Foege the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor. In 2016, Duke University granted him an honorary degree, calling him “the Father of Global Health.”

Task Force for Global Health CEO Dr. Patrick O’Carroll said Foege had an “unflagging commitment to improving the health of people across the world,” adding that his legacy continues to guide public health efforts today.