In 1980, the World Health Assembly gathered to announce that one of mankind’s greatest and deadliest enemies had been finally, and completely defeated. That enemy was smallpox.

In this opening episode, we look at the devastating impact of smallpox throughout history, as it wrought havoc on the human race. Discover how a 12th-century samurai drove the demon of smallpox away from the island of Ishima. Find out how the Yoruba people worship the god of smallpox, and in India prayers are given to the goddess Shitala - the one who cools. For centuries, smallpox was a monster, a demon - sometimes even a god. But the first lights of resistance were already being lit.

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Written and narrated by Annie Kelly

Produced by Paul Cooper

Sound engineering by Alexey Sibikin

Voice actors:

Stephen Knowles

Deryn Oliver

Paul Cooper

Rhy Brignell