Smallpox, a disease that killed at least 300 million people in the 20th century, was eradicated in 1980 following a global campaign led by the World Health Organization. The last known case of the deadly strain, Variola Major, was in Rahima Banu, a toddler from Bangladesh in 1975. Despite experiencing social discrimination due to her scars, Banu recovered and leads a grateful life with her family. The eradication of smallpox remains the only successful worldwide elimination of a human disease, attributed to its visible symptoms and the absence of asymptomatic cases, unlike diseases like COVID-19.

Smallpox, a devastating disease with a history of over 3,000 years, was eradicated in 1980 following a global campaign led by the World Health Organization. The last known case of the deadly strain, Variola Major, occurred in Rahima Banu, a toddler in Bangladesh, in 1975. Despite experiencing social discrimination due to her scars, Banu recovered without long-term health issues and leads a grateful life with her husband and children. The eradication of smallpox remains the only successful worldwide elimination of a human disease, attributed partly to its visible symptoms, unlike asymptomatic diseases like COVID-19.

Rahima Banu holds a significant place in medical history as the last known person to be infected with naturally-occurring deadly smallpox. The disease, which had a devastating impact on humanity for over 3,000 years, was eradicated in 1980 following a global campaign led by the World Health Organization. Banu's case in Bangladesh in 1975 marked the end of Variola Major, the most deadly strain of smallpox. Despite the challenges she faced, including social discrimination due to her scars, Banu speaks positively about her life, her family, and the attention she has received from health workers and journalists. The article also highlights the contributions of key individuals like Daniel Tarantola and Alan Schnur in the eradication effort and the innovative strategies used, such as the bifurcated needle for vaccinations.

The Bangladeshi textile sector, crucial for the country's economy, faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic when Western companies like C&A, H&M, Inditex, and Primark cancelled or suspended orders worth billions of dollars. C&A, controlled by Cofra Holding in Switzerland, initially cancelled all orders until the end of June 2020, causing financial distress for factories and workers. Protests erupted as workers demanded wages and safe working conditions. Under public pressure, C&A and other brands began to reinstate some orders. However, the industry still faced reduced capacity and financial shortfalls, with up to one million jobs at risk. The situation highlighted the vulnerabilities of the fast fashion supply chain and the impact of Western purchasing practices on developing economies.

In Bangladesh, seamstresses like Kulsum, who works for Sams Attire, a factory producing for C&A, face financial hardship as C&A and other clothing corporations cancel orders due to the pandemic. Despite the Brenninkmeijer family's wealth, C&A invokes German law to suspend orders, citing force majeure. Legal experts question this justification. The abrupt cancellations have led to protests, injuries, and reported deaths. The Bangladeshi government's financial support is slow, and the textile industry is at risk of collapse. C&A has resumed some orders but the future remains uncertain for many workers.