Home » Fitness Strategies Network » Can We Eradicate Viruses?

Can We Eradicate Viruses?

James H. Sterling • • 9 min read
Can We Eradicate Viruses?

To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared only 2 diseases officially eradicated: smallpox caused by variola

variola
Variola is a large brick-shaped virus measuring approximately 302 to 350 nanometers by 244 to 270 nm, with a single linear double stranded DNA genome 186 kilobase pairs (kbp) in size and containing a hairpin loop at each end.
› wiki › Smallpox
virus (VARV) and rinderpest caused by the rinderpest virus (RPV).

Can you still spread COVID-19 if you have the vaccine?

Vaccinated People Can Transmit the Coronavirus, but It's Still More Likely If You're Unvaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against severe illness but do not entirely block transmission. Fully vaccinated people are also less likely to contract the coronavirus than unvaccinated people.

How long have coronaviruses existed?

The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all coronaviruses is estimated to have existed as recently as 8000 BCE, although some models place the common ancestor as far back as 55 million years or more, implying long term coevolution with bat and avian species.

James H. Sterling
Author

James H. Sterling

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.