UNESCO honors Ningbo virologist Gu Fangzhou

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized the 100th anniversary of the birth of Gu Fangzhou, a virologist of Ningbo origin whose groundbreaking work on China's oral polio vaccine safeguarded millions of children.

Born in 1926, Gu devoted his life to fighting poliomyelitis, a highly contagious disease that paralyzed thousands of children across mid-20th-century China. In the summer of 1955, a severe outbreak swept through Jiangsu, Shandong, Shanghai, and beyond. At the time, doctors had little knowledge of the disease, and no vaccine existed to prevent it.

In 1957, Gu was tasked with developing a polio vaccine. After studying production techniques in the Soviet Union in 1959, he returned to China and led the experimental production of a live attenuated vaccine. He first tested it on himself, then on his infant son, before expanding trials to children under controlled conditions. The results demonstrated that the vaccine was safe and effective, paving the way for mass production.

By 1960, the first 5 million doses were distributed nationwide. Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese medicine, Gu transformed the liquid vaccine into a sweet, solid "sugar pill," allowing generations of children to take it safely and conveniently. China was eventually declared polio-free, with the last locally transmitted case recorded in 1994.

Gu passed away in 2019 at the age of 92, leaving a legacy of scientific dedication and public service. The UNESCO resolution commemorating his centenary extends his legacy beyond China, honoring his humanitarian contributions and ensuring his work continues to inspire global public health efforts.

Between 2026 and 2027, China, France, and Italy will jointly host centennial celebrations of Gu's birth. This marks the second time China has proposed a UNESCO anniversary event centered on a scientist, following the centenary of Liu Hui, a prominent figure in ancient Chinese mathematics.