Species that are extinct or are on the verge of extinction
Ever since humans have been able to identify pathogenic microorganisms that cause disease, they have found creative means to fight against and destroy these species. Thus, today, some of these diseases have virtually disappeared from the face of the earth.
ZoomSmallpox virus
Microorganism: Smallpox virus (orthopoxvirus)
Disease: Smallpox
Date of eradication: Declared eradicated in 1978 (virus conserved in certain laboratories)
Estimated date of destruction of the last samples: –
ZoomPoliomyelitis virus
Microorganism: Poliomyelitis virus (genus Poliovirus)
Disease: Poliomyelitis
Estimated date of eradication: - unknown
Zoom (82KB)Leprosy bacterium
Microorganism: Hansen’s bacillus
Disease: Leprosy
Estimated date of eradication: 2010 (Could possibly be later as we have still not succeeded in cultivating the pathogenic agent, an essential step towards developing a vaccine.)
Zoom (84KB)Tuberculosis bacterium
Microorganism: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, (Koch’s bacillus)
Disease: Tuberculosis
Date of control: 1974
Estimated date of eradication: 2050