Recent events and observations pertaining to smallpox virus destruction in 2002.
To destroy all remaining stocks of variola virus on or before 31 December 2002 seems an even more compelling goal today than it did in 1999, when the 52d World Health Assembly authorized temporary retention of remaining stocks to facilitate the possible development of (1) a more attenuated, less reactogenic smallpox vaccine and (2) an antiviral drug that could be used in treatment of patients with smallpox. We believe the deadline established in 1999 should be adhered to, given the potential outcomes of present research. Although verification that every country will have destroyed its stock of virus is impossible, it is reasonable to assume that the risk of a smallpox virus release would be diminished were the World Health Assembly to call on each country to destroy its stocks of smallpox virus and to state that any person, laboratory, or country found to have virus after date x would be guilty of a crime against humanity.
Henderson
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DA
The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA. dahzero@aol.com
Fenner
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F
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research; D012899:Smallpox / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine; D012901:Variola virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine