Episode S7 · Ep 7 August 2, 2025 15 min 5s

S7E4: The Plague Years

Smallpox was one of the deadliest diseases known to man—and not even the Philippines was immune to its virulent dangers! But how did the dreaded disease arrive on our shores? And what devastating effects did it have during the long centuries of our occupation?

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The thumbnail image, which dates from the 16th century, depicts Aztec victims of smallpox.

References:

Newson, Linda A. (2011). Conquest and Pestilence in the Early Spanish Philippines. Ateneo de Manila University Press.

Fenner, F.; Henderson, D.A.; Arita, I.; Jezek, Z.; Ladnyi, I.D. (1988). Smallpox and Its Eradication. World Health Organization.

“Termination of Smallpox Vaccination.” DOH Memorandum Circular, May 08, 1980.

Herzog, Richard (23 September 2020). “How Aztecs Reacted to Colonial Epidemics.” JSTOR Daily. https://daily.jstor.org/how-aztecs-reacted-to-colonial-epidemics/

Mursell, Ian. (7 April 2020) “IN THE NEWS: epidemic, self-isolation, dedication and the preservation of memory.” Mexicolore. https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/spanish-invasion/epidemic-self-isolation-dedication-and-the-preservation-of-memory

Thein, M.M.; Goh, L.G., Phua, K.H. (1988). “The Smallpox Story: From Variolation to Victory.” Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 2(3), pp. 203-210.

Wise, Edwin (2019). Manila, City of Islands. Ateneo de Manila University Press.