Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Infectious Diseases > Viral > Smallpox
Smallpox (also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera) was a highly contagious viral disease unique to humans. It was caused by two virus 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 1979WHO FactsheetWHO meeting agenda Scientists certified it eradicated in December 1979, WHO formally ratified this on 8 May 1980 in resolution WHA33.3 certified the eradication of smallpox, though 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 vaccinations were discontinued in most countries in the 1970s as the morbidity and mortality of vaccination by then exceeded the risk of infection by a disease extinct in the wild. 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 George W. Bush has ordered all American 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 and Tongzhi Emperor of China (official history), Mary II of England, Louis XV of France, and Peter II of Russia. Henry VIII's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, survived the disease but was scarred by it, as was Henry VIII's daughter, Elizabeth I of England in 1562, Guru Har Krishan 8th Guru of the Sikhs in 1664 and Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Joseph Stalin, who was badly scarred by the disease early in life, would often have photographs retouched to make his pockmarks less apparent.
More on [ Smallpox ]
Immunizations :: Disease Control and Prevention
Jenner, Edward :: Scientists
Biological, Chemical, and Radiological :: Weapons
Millions of people throughout the world have died from the smallpox epidemic http://bit.ly/5u24gW
newsincleveland (Rob Cauflied) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:44:37 -0000
Millions of people throughout the world have died from the smallpox epidemic http://bit.ly/5u24gW
@MFUSA there are a lot of things wished on Chelsea, along with Waldo is smallpox, cholera and dysentary..
Ablackbird (Scott Seidler) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:43:33 -0000
@MFUSA there are a lot of things wished on Chelsea, along with Waldo is smallpox, cholera and dysentary..
RT @physorg_biology: Mystery solved: Scientists now know how smallpox kills http://tw.physorg.com/180712105
ScienceNews24 (ScienceNews24) Tue,
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AAP Supports 'Ring Vaccination' in Case of Smallpox Outbreak - American Academy of Pediatricians policy statement supporting vaccinating only contacts of any future smallpox cases, given the currently low risk of widescale bioterrorist attacks and the potential for bad reactions.
CDC - Smallpox Information - guide to smallpox including basic facts, history, vaccination facts, treament information, and other reference materials
Meta Description: [ Home page for all CDC smallpox information. Includes basic information as well as information for health and lab professionals. Part of the CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response site. ]
Edward Jenner - Exhibit marking his first experimental vaccination against the disease.
eMedicine Health - Smallpox - Consumer health resource center providing information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this disorder, also called variola.
Meta Description: [ Smallpox (also called variola) is the only disease that has been completely wiped out throughout the world. Smallpox is also potentially one of the most devastating biological weapons ever conceived. ... ]
LearnWell Online Course - A short course for nursing continuing education on smallpox.
Meta Description: [ Smallpox continuing education course for nurses, counselors and others with 24/7 issuing of certification. ]
MedlinePlus: Smallpox - Directory of articles, news, and factsheets.
Meta Description: [ Smallpox ]
Smallpox - Information about history, pathology, treatment, prevention, eradication with references.
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Smallpox - By Whale: A look at this diseases severity and infectiousness, vaccine damage and failures and links to articles.
Smallpox - Center for Biosecurity of UPMC - Discusses the use of the organism as a weapon in biological warfare.
Smallpox - Texas Department of Health - Fact sheet and reporting information, with other resources for smallpox/variola.
Meta Description: [ smallpox information ]
Smallpox Information Center - A focused selection of information to help the general public understand the issues with this disease.
Meta Description: [ Forum for discussion Bacteriophages. ]
SmallPox News - Information and suggestions for Public Health response and planning for smallpox. Explanations and description of vaccinia (live virus) inoculation.
Smallpox Virus Illustrations - Computer graphic illustrations of the smallpox virus showing its external appearance, internal structure and life cycle.
Meta Description: [ illustrations of Smallpox Viruses: structure, virion, life cycle or replication, by Russell Kightley Media ]
Smallpox: Clinical and Epidemiologic Features - Describes in detail the disease characteristics.
The Demon in the Freezer - The story of how smallpox, a disease of officially eradicated became the biggest bioterrorist threat we now face.
UN's smallpox terror alert - The relation of smallpox with terrorism and terrorist attacks.
Meta Description: [ Latest news and information on terrorism, terrorist activities, terrorist organizations, attacks and on Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban. ]
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