In the NewsLinks appear for content that is available online indefinitely. November 21, 2009
Book review: Smallpox — the death of a disease: the inside story of eradicating a worldwide killer, by D.A. Henderson, review by Nathan Seppa. Science.
Review of Dr. D.A. Henderson’s book, Smallpox—The Death of a Disease.
November 16, 2009
Philanthropy: the giving chain, by Heidi Brown and Joan Indiana Rigdon. Forbes.
Dr. Helene D. Gayle, president and CEO of CARE, recalls that a commencement address delivered years ago by Dr. D.A. Henderson was the “aha moment” that eventually led her to pursue a career in public health.
November 2009
Chasing smallpox: a global race. Weill Cornell News.
The article features Dr. D.A. Henderson, highlighting the WHO’s global smallpox eradication program and book, Smallpox—The Death of a Disease.
October 28, 2009
Analysis-US government faces no-win fight with flu. Reuters.
Dr. D.A. Henderson comments about national planning for epidemic response, "If one anticipates a potential disaster and is successful in having enough done to head it off, there is criticism of the energy and money expended for something that didn't happen." October 11, 2009
Library corner: epidemics of past put swine flu to shame, by Chris Skaugset. The Daily News (Columbia, Washington).
This article refers to Dr. D.A. Henderson's recently published book, Smallpox—The Death of a Disease. August 25, 2009
Lessons from the flu of '57; pandemic spread quickly among young people, by David Brown. Washington Post.
Dr. D.A. Henderson recalls the public health response to the 1957 flu pandemic, and a decision to not to cancel a boyscout jamboree being held in Valley Forge, "We decided the amount of contact would be limited." August 25, 2009
Drastic measure? Officials consider early roll-out of swine flu vaccine: influenza experts disagree over need to move quickly on vaccine given dire predictions, by Dan Childs. ABC News Medical Unit.
Dr. D.A. Henderson weighs in on the government’s plan to “fill and finish” batches of H1N1 vaccine in 15 microgram doses: "I think this is a good idea if it can be done . . . The only problem is that the individual may receive a less potent vaccine that will be less effective. Is it better to have this than no vaccine at all? I think so." August 23, 2009
Pandemics; 1957-58 flu pandemic can provide clues to planning for H1N1. Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA.
Dr. D.A. Henderson discusses H1N1 response: "There is need for an understanding in national policy circles of the options for dealing with a pandemic, and time is short if states and local communities are going to be prepared." August 20, 2009
Leading the fight against smallpox, by John Carmody. Nature.
The article reviews Dr. D.A. Henderson's recently published book, "Smallpox: The Death of a Disease." August 18, 2009
We can't be sure if this is a pandemic, or just the flu, by Helen Branswell. The Canadian Press.
Dr. D.A. Henderson commented about the swine flu pandemic, "I think that what we've seen in '57 and what we see now are very similar.'' August 17, 2009
"Smallpox -- the death of a disease." AmNews.
The article provides an excerpt from Dr. D.A. Henderson's recently published book, "Smallpox: The Death of a Disease." August 14, 2009
7 Diseases we'd forgotten about -- until they returned: bubonic plague, leprosy, TB still around, by Joseph Brownstein. ABC News Medical Unit.
Dr. D.A. Henderson notes that, unlike smallpox, eradication of many of these diseases is not likely: "Why not the others? . . . Some because there is an animal reservoir, like plague, or long-term carriers of the disease who can excrete the organism--tuberculosis and leprosy--or diseases for which the vaccine is inadequate to accomplish what we would like to achieve--diptheria and, to some dregree, polio. It is not a simple subject to address." August 13, 2009
Misunderstanding of 1918 may lead to faulty assumptions for swine flu: experts, by Helen Branswell. The Canadian Press.
Dr. D.A. Henderson is quoted about a study the Center conducted of the 1957 pandemic: "I think that what we've seen in '57 and what we see now are very similar." July 24, 2009
Ele diz que não se deve temer nova gripe e defende restrição do tamiflu, by Reinaldo José Lopes. O portal de notícias da globo.
Vacina polivalente para gripe pode chegar em dois anos, afirma epidemiologista americano Donald Henderson liderou erradicação da varíola no mundo. June 29, 2009
Henderson led WHO's effort to rid the world of smallpox, by Steve Sternberg. USA Today.
Dr. D.A. Henderson is interviewed about his career and his newly released book entitled, "Smallpox — The Death of a Disease: The Inside Story of Eradicating a Worldwide Killer. Dr. Henderson commented, "Anyone can understand that, if you've been to Africa and Asia and you know how vast the areas are and how limited the public health services were." June 22, 2009
New Book: 'Smallpox -- The Death Of A Disease.' Medical News Today.
Review of Dr. D.A. Henderson's newly published book. June 17, 2009
‘Smallpox -- The Death of a Disease,’ A Q&A With Dr. D.A. Henderson. Los Angeles Times.
Dr. Henderson discusses the WHO’s global smallpox eradication program and his newly published book. June 7, 2009
Pitt professor organized health organization's effort to rid world of smallpox, by Mike Cronin. Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
Dr. D.A. Henderson is interviewed about his career and his newly released book entitled, "Smallpox — The Death of a Disease: The Inside Story of Eradicating a Worldwide Killer." Dr. Henderson noted, "We took on every challenge you can imagine -- civil war, famine, refugees -- and somehow we were able to get through it."The article also cited the Center for Biosecurity as the source for estimates on federal government spending for civilian biodefense. June 1, 2009
UPMC researcher's book explores eradication of smallpox, by Victor Zapana and Martine Powers. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Dr. Henderson is interviewed about his career and his newly released book entitled, "Smallpox — The Death of a Disease: The Inside Story of Eradicating a Worldwide Killer." June 1, 2009
Pitt Professor to hold talk on smallpox book. Buzz Up! Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
The article announced Dr. Henderson's presentation and overview of his book, "Smallpox — The Death of a Disease: The Inside Story of Eradicating a Worldwide Killer," May 10, 2009
CARE President and CEO Helene Gayle challenges Agnes Scott graduates. PR Newswire.
Dr. Helene D. Gayle, president and CEO of CARE, delivers the 2009 commencement address at Agnes Scott College and recalls that a commencement address delivered years ago by Dr. Henderson was the “aha moment” that eventually led her to pursue a career in public health. May 6, 2009
Education Notebook Section. Montgomery County (MD) Gazette Newspapers.
Three middle school students received a first place nod for their Junior Group Documentary Project,"D.A. Henderson: Pioneer in Smallpox Eradication" April 30, 2009
Disease and terror: The swine flu outbreak caught health officials completely by surprise - just as a bioterror attack would, by D.A. Henderson. Newsweek web exclusive.
Dr. D.A. Henderson outlines in an OpEd the similarities between flu and bioterrorism response, the factors that characterize how threats unfold, and the challenges that emerging diseases present, and he proposes recommendations for improving response. April 28, 2009
WTOP News Radio, Washington, DC.
Dr. D.A. Henderson was interviewed about U.S. preparedness for a full H1N1 pandemic. March 17, 2009
Homeland Security: Inside and Out, hosted by Dave McIntyre and Randy Larsen. Federal News Radio.
Dr. Henderson provides an update on the publication of his memoir Smallpox: The Death of a Disease: “The book will be coming out in June, and will recount…a kind of inside story of how this [smallpox eradication] was done, with all of the problems one has with working with many different countries—in civil war, and famine, bureaucracy—it’s an illustration of what can be done, but with great difficulty.” “One of the things…I learned was that a lot of our success [in eradicating smallpox] had to do with getting young people involved and giving them the opportunity to take off. They didn’t know what they couldn’t do, and they made a very big difference.” Listen to interview February 21, 2009
Ridding the world of polio, hosted by Peter Dobbe. BBC World Service News (Radio).
Dr. Henderson was interviewed about the WHO’s polio eradication program and the feasibility of the effort. Among other observations, Dr. Henderson noted “I’d be in favor of eradication if I really believed it were possible, but I have my doubts whether . . . you’re really going to be absolutely certain that there is no polio lurking anywhere so that you can stop vaccination.” Listen to interview January 22, 2009
Polio’s last stand: Bill Gates is bent on eradicating the disease, but the war isn't going well, by Fred Guterl. Newsweek.
Dr. Henderson is mentioned as a public health expert who favors control of polio rather than eradication of the disease, an effort which he believes will ultimately fail. January 22, 2009
Gates offensive against polio; Foundation antes up another $255M and stresses "The value of eradication," which has remained elusive—but some question justification for keeping costly effort going, by Sandi Doughton. The Seattle Times.
Dr. Henderson weighs in on the WHO’s polio eradication program: "We've been going at it for 20 years now . . . The question is: Is this the best use of resources?" January 13, 2009
Homeland Security Inside and Out, Host: Randy Larsen. KAMU Radio, 90.9 FM.
Rebroadcast of January 29, 2008, interview with Dr. D.A. Henderson. January 9, 2009
D.A. Henderson led global smallpox eradication campaign, by Rosanne Skirble. Voice of America.
Dr. Henderson is interviewed about his efforts in the World Health Organization's global smallpox eradication program. View on YouTube. January 4, 2009
Troubled life of an anthrax suspect, by Scott Shane. The New York Times.
Dr. D.A. Henderson is quoted about events following the September 11 attacks, and the growing concern among government officials at that time about the potential for a bioterrorist attack. December 11, 2008
Smallpox vaccination could remain potent for decades, researchers find, by Chris Schneidmiller. Global Security Newswire.
Dr. Henderson comments about a study suggesting that smallpox vaccine confers protection for decades longer than previously believed: “The bottom line on this is quite simple, and that is if we had an outbreak of smallpox we would advise again vaccinating everybody who had any reasonable chance of being in contact with a patient, just as a matter of precaution. . . Here you’ve got a disease with a 30 percent death rate, you don’t want to take any chances.” The Dark Winter exercise of 2001 is also mentioned in this article. December 4, 2008
Vaccine findings go against the grain: New data stir up debate over the length of protection afforded by smallpox vaccination. Emerging Health Threats.
Dr. Henderson weighs in on a study that suggests that smallpox vaccine confers protection for decades longer than previously believed: "I believe more is needed to be known about the Taub laboratory results and to determine how or why these differ so markedly from other studies and actual experience in so many countries during the eradication programmes and for centuries before this.” October 11, 2008
Former Bassett trustee delivers speech on disaster preparedness, by Tom Grace. Oneonta Daily Star.
Dr. Henderson discusses U.S. preparedness for disasters: “We are better prepared than we were before September 11, 2001, but as often happens, when we get farther away from a disaster, we tend to grow complacent.” August 13, 2008
Nagging questions in anthrax case, by Laura Fitzpatrick. TIME.
Dr. Henderson calls for the FBI to release to the science community the scientific evidence used to close the case on the anthrax attacks of 2001: "You have less confidence in how much [the FBI is] really sharing and how accurate this might be." August 8, 2008
Anthrax case leaves three questions unanswered, by Greg Gordon. McClatchy Newspapers (formerly Knight Ridder).
Dr. Henderson remarks that based on what has been released, the FBI’s case against Ivins "just doesn't add up." August 3, 2008
Modest gains against ever-present bioterrorism threat: An attack could be hard to predict with current tools, by Spencer S. Hsu. Washington Post.
Dr. Henderson notes that “The potential for something to happen is much greater now than it was in 2001, simply because of developments of technology and education.” March 25, 2008
WHO announces polio wiped from Somalia: Still, officials worry virus could pop up again; 12 other countries remain. The Associated Press.
With regard to polio eradication in Somalia, Dr. D.A. Henderson commented “We can be optimistic, but I think we should also be very cautious.” March 10, 2008
Letter to the editor: increased regulation isn't the answer, by M. Sigmund Shapiro. Journal of Commerce.
With regard to government security and regulatory policy, the letter cites Dr. Henderson's perspective "that we can only protect ourselves so far, that certain vectors, for example, are impossible to interdict, much less control, so we have to live with the reality of the problem, and go on with our lives." March 6, 2008
Five years later, smallpox preparedness improved, by Jeffrey Young. The Hill.
Dr. Henderson notes that the program to vaccinate healthcare workers failed because "The risk [of a smallpox attack] was a very unclear risk, there’s no question about it.” March 1, 2008
Longtime smallpox vaccine is destroyed, by Mike Stobbe. Associated Press.
Dr. Henderson is cited as a source on the history of Dryvax smallpox vaccine. February 19, 2008
Homeland Security Inside and Out. Host: Randy Larsen. KAMU 90.9 FM.
Radio interview with Dr. Henderson about his experiences leading the WHO's smallpox eradication campaign: "Out total budget from the World Health Assembly was $2.4 million per year. And whatever we could scrounge in terms of getting donations from countries in any way, we did that, but none of them were very forthcoming." Listen to interview January 29, 2008
Homeland Security Inside and Out. Host: Randy Larsen. KAMU 90.9 FM.
Radio interview with Dr. Henderson about the advice he would offer the presidential candidates, advocating strongly for a top level biological scientist to serve as the Head of OSTP: "I think we've had a number of physicists who had experience with nuclear weapons and all that the Cold War implied at that time. We're in a different world now, and we really have a whole different set of problems to look at." Listen to interview January 28, 2008
Fishing for a way to change the world; Bush thought his father lacked a grand doctrine. His greatest failures have come from trying to craft one, by Jacob Weisberg. Newsweek.
Newsweek printed an excerpt from a book entitled The Bush Tragedy, by Jacob Weisberg, in which an interview with Dr. Henderson is referenced. Dr. Henderson recalls advising the vice president, after the anthrax attacks of 2001, that vaccinating the public against smallpox was a bad idea. The 2001 Dark Winter exercise is also referenced in the article. December 2, 2007
New anthrax vaccine doomed by lobbying, by David Willman. Los Angeles Times.
Dr. Henderson recalls a meeting convened the Sunday night following September 11, 2001, “There was intelligence information coming through and some chatter coming through, suggesting there was going to be a second event, that the second event could very likely be a biological event. And anthrax and smallpox were both raised as possibilities.” October 14, 2007
Researchers with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, U.S. discuss study findings. NewsRx.com
Dr. Henderson is mentioned in this article. August 16, 2007
Ohio planning to purchase stockpile of influenza drugs, by Regina McEnery. Plain Dealer (Cleveland).
Dr. Henderson comments about extending the shelf life of stockpiled antivirals past the date of expiration: ". . . if they are going to be extended, then the drugs have to be kept in conditions that must be carefully monitored—both for temperature and humidity. . . " April 3, 2007
Flu studies point to isolation for prevention, reported by Richard Knox. National Public Radio, Morning Edition.
In a radio interview, Dr. Henderson is quoted: "I was in charge of surveillance at CDC for influenza in 1957. The speed with which that disease spread was just astounding." Listen to interview February 27, 2007
Polio eradication plan needs another $1B: WHO official. CBC News.
Dr. Henderson responds to WHO's classification of polio in Somalia and Ethiopia as imported instead of endemic: "This is a deception." | 
