William Foege, American physician and epidemiologist, died on January 24, 2026 at the age of 89.[2] He developed a global strategy of surveillance and ring vaccination that led to the eradication of smallpox in the late 1970s.[2][1][3] As head of the CDC's smallpox eradication program in Africa and India, he was able to contain epidemics through targeted vaccination in outbreaks, greatly reducing the need for vaccines.[1][3] From 1977 to 1983, he served as director of the CDC, where he intensified prevention and helped identify the causes of toxic shock and Reye's syndrome in children.[1][3] As executive director of the Carter Center since 1986, he has supported international public health programs.[1][4] He founded the Task Force for Child Survival, which increased global child immunity from 20% to 80% in six years.[1][3][5] He participated in the fight against polio, guinea worm, river blindness and other diseases.[2][4][6] He received the Future of Life Award in 2020 together with Viktor Ždanov for his contribution to the eradication of smallpox.[2]