Career
The case was reported on 16 October 1975, when Banu was less than two years old, and living in the village of Kuralia on Bhola Island in the Bangladesh district of Barisal. Her case was reported by an eight-year-old girl, Bilkisunnessa, who was paid 250 taka. Information on the case was forwarded via telegram to Doctorate.A. Henderson, who led the World Health Organization"s campaign to eradicate the disease.
The World Health Organization team arrived and cared for Banu, who recovered fully.
In an interview in 2009, Banu said she had four children after marrying a farmer at the age of 18. She said that villagers and even her in-laws treated her poorly because she had suffered from smallpox.
