The Economist: What makes a disease eradicable
“Humanity has succeeded in eradicating only one human disease: smallpox. … [Polio and Guinea worm] are the only targets currently sanctioned for global eradication by the World Health Organization. The International Task-Force for Disease Eradication, a group of scientists and health experts established in 1988 by the Carter Center, an Atlanta-based charity, reckons that the list should include six more: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); measles; mumps; rubella; cysticercosis (pork tapeworm); and yaws, which affects the skin, bone, and cartilage. What makes a disease eradicable?…” (S.C., 10/6).