William Foege, Architect of Smallpox Eradication, Dies at Age 89

William Foege, the public health leader who directed the U.S. Smallpox Eradication Program during its critical phase, passed away on Saturday at 89. His leadership was instrumental in eliminating smallpox, a disease that previously killed one in three infected individuals. Former CDC Director Tom Frieden noted Foege's immense impact on global mortality reduction.