Smallpox

Smallpox is a disease caused by the Variola major virus. Some experts say that over the centuries it has killed more people than all other infectious diseases combined. Worldwide immunization stopped the spread of smallpox three decades ago. The last case was reported in 1977. Two research labs still house small amounts of the virus. Experts fear bioterrorists could use the virus to spread disease.

Smallpox spreads very easily from person to person. Symptoms are flu-like and include high fever, fatigue and headache and backache, followed by a rash with flat red sores.

The U.S. stopped routine smallpox vaccinations in 1972. Military and other high-risk groups continue to get the vaccine. The U.S. has increased its supply of the vaccine in recent years. The vaccine makes some people sick, so doctors save it for those at highest risk of disease.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Smallpox on Wikipedia

'''Smallpox''' (also known by the Latin names ''Variola'' or ''Variola vera'') is a highly contagious disease unique to humans. It is caused by two virus (biology) variants called Variola major and Variola minor. V. major is the more deadly form, with a typical mortality of 20-40 percent of those infected. The other type, V. minor, only kills 1% of its victims. Many survivors are left blind in one or both eyes from corneal ulcerations, and persistent skin scarring - pockmarks - is nearly universal. Smallpox was responsible for an estimated 300-500 million deaths in the 20th century. As recently as 1967, The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 15 million people contracted the disease and that two million died in that year. After successful vaccination campaigns, the WHO in 1979 declared the eradication of smallpox, though Microbiological cultures of the virus are kept by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and at the Institute of Virus Preparations in Siberia, Russia. Smallpox vaccination was discontinued in most countries in the 1970s as the risks of vaccination include death (~1 per million), among other serious side effects. Nonetheless, after the 2001 anthrax attacks took place in the United States, concerns about smallpox have resurfaced as a possible agent for bioterrorism. As a result, there has been increased concern about the availability of vaccine stocks. Moreover, President of the United States George W. Bush has ordered all United States military personnel to be vaccinated against smallpox and has implemented a voluntary program for vaccinating emergency medical personnel. Famous victims of this disease include Ramesses V (see Koplow, p. 11, plus notes), Shunzhi Emperor of China (official history), Mary II of England, Louis XV of France, and Peter II of Russia. ...   [ Read More ]

External Resources

Landini, Francesco - Biography noting smallpox-induced blindness, organist abilities, and musical style includes summary list of works. From the Grove Concise Dictionary of Music entry at WQXR radio.

SmallPOX - The Small Press in Ottawa eXpo's page and directory. Find out more about our annual indie books convention.

SmallPOX - The Small Press in Ottawa Expo held yearly. Includes general information.

Smallpox 2002: Silent Weapon - Information on the making of the show, as well as facts and background about the disease, credits, and character profiles.

The Invisible Fire - The only complete history of Smallpox and of the brave and idiosyncratic men and women who defeated one of nature's most lethal viruses.

Acambis - Developer of vaccines against infectious disease, featuring smallpox-related products, investor information, company news, and career opportunities in both Cambridge, England and Massachusetts. ( Nasdaq: ACAM ) ( LSE: ACM )

Bavarian Nordic - Developer and manufacturer offering prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, with pre-clinical research programs, and has established products for HIV and smallpox. Overview includes investor data from Kvistgaard, Denmark.

Grid.org - A distributed computing effort by the United Devices Global MetaProcessor with the participation of over 2 million PCs worldwide for cancer, anthrax, and smallpox research projects.

(D2OL) - Drug Design and Optimization Lab - Works to discover drug candidates against bioterrorism organisms such as anthrax, smallpox, and ebola.

Smallpox - Information about history, pathology, treatment, prevention, eradication with references.

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