Karel Raška

Karel Raška (Czech pronunciation: [ˈkarɛl ˈraʃka]; 17 November 1909 – 21 November 1987) was a Czech physician and epidemiologist, who headed the successful international effort during the 1960s to eradicate smallpox.

He was a Director of the WHO Division of Communicable Disease Control since 1963. His new concept of eliminating the disease was adopted by the WHO in 1967 and eventually led to the eradication of smallpox in 1977.[1] Raška was also a strong promoter of the concept of disease surveillance, which was adopted in 1968 and has since become a standard practice in epidemiology.[2]

He is a recipient of the Edward Jenner Medal awarded by the Royal Society of Medicine.

References

  1. ↑ "Karel Raška and Smallpox" (PDF). Central European Journal of Public Health. March 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
  2. ↑ "Karel Raška — The Development of Modern Epidemiology. The role of the IEA." (PDF). Central European Journal of Public Health. March 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-17.

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