'Every suspect case became a public health emergency and triggered immediate investigation. The intensified campaign involved over 152,000 Indian health workers and 230 WHO personnel from 30 different countries,' he added.

'The success of the Indian campaign reflected dedicated and imaginative leadership coupled with sound management at all levels -- political and operational,' he said.

The regional director said the strategy to eradicate smallpox employed by this region was based on some of the basic principles of public health -- enhanced surveillance, case finding, isolation and creating awareness regarding vaccination.

He said the last case from the region was reported from Bangladesh and the whole of Asia on Oct 16, 1975, while the global eradication was in 1979 and was finally endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 1980.

'Thirty years later, the smallpox eradication programme continues to inspire public health campaigns,' he added.