Dr. Ana Gligic, a prominent virologist and expert whose work significantly contributed to combating infectious diseases, including the 1972 smallpox epidemic in the former Yugoslavia, has passed away at the age of 91.
Dr. Gligic led the laboratory at the “Torlak” Institute in Belgrade and headed the team that isolated the variola virus. This milestone marked a critical moment in the fight against one of the deadliest infectious diseases in 20th-century Europe.
Scientific career and life journey
Ana Gligic was born on August 6th, 1934, in the Slavonian village of Ceralije, near Podravska Slatina, in what was then the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During World War II, she lost much of her family, a tragedy that deeply marked her childhood. She studied in Virovitica, completed classical high school in 1953, and graduated in biology in 1959 from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Belgrade.
After graduation, she began her career as a virology intern at the “Dr. Milan Jovanovic Batut” Institute of Public Health. In 1966, she passed the specialist exam in medical microbiology and was appointed head of the Yugoslav National Laboratory for Smallpox and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers.
Her further training included specializations in leading European laboratories, such as the London Reference Laboratory for Viruses and the Institute for Tropical Medicine in Munich. There, she gained invaluable knowledge, which she applied during critical public health battles against epidemics.
A heroine in the fight against the smallpox epidemic
Ana Gligic made history as a key figure in the fight against the 1972 smallpox epidemic, the last such outbreak in Europe. At the time when Yugoslavia was struck by this deadly infectious disease, Gligic was at the helm of the “Torlak” Institute’s laboratory, where she personally led the isolation of the variola virus and implemented rigorous measures to contain it.
The epidemic, which began when pilgrim Ibrahim Hoti returned from Mecca, caused panic in Yugoslavia due to its rapid spread and high mortality rate. Of the 184 infected individuals, 40 died, resulting in a mortality rate of over 21%. Gligic, along with her team, was not only the scientific force but also the logistical backbone of the fight against this dangerous virus.
Her determination and expertise shone during the peak of the crisis. “I remember the evening when a vehicle came for me,” Gligic recalled in interviews. “I felt like a soldier – they had invested in me and my education so that I could be useful in such situations. It would have been a betrayal not to help.” This statement, reflecting her sense of duty and professionalism, has become a symbol of her career and contributions to public health.
During the epidemic, Gligic personally supervised the analyses and tests of samples from various parts of the country. Her team often used cars and helicopters to urgently reach infected areas, and in some cases, worked around the clock to curb the virus’s spread. Her expertise and swift actions were crucial in implementing quarantines, disinfection, and isolation of the infected, thereby preventing a larger catastrophe.
Gligic also led the “destruction” of the virus at the “Torlak” Institute, marking the end of the epidemic. Her work during this crisis not only saved lives but became a global example of effective disease control. Thanks to her methods and efforts, Yugoslavia overcame this deadly threat, and her contributions were recognized worldwide.
Scientific contributions
In addition to her work against smallpox, Dr. Gligic was the first to isolate and describe the Marburg virus in 1967, one of the deadliest viruses in the world. She also studied hemorrhagic fevers, hantavirus infections, and other vector-borne diseases.
Even after retiring, she actively contributed to public education during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering expert advice on the importance of vaccination and epidemiological measures.
Ana Gligic left an indelible mark on virology and microbiology, both in the former Yugoslavia and globally. Her dedication to science and public health serves as an example for future generations of researchers and healthcare professionals.
Her death represents a loss for the scientific community but also serves as a reminder of the extraordinary achievements of one of the most prominent virologists of our time, Klix.ba writes.
