Smallpox: anything to declare?
Smallpox was eradicated in 1977, but it remains a concern owing to the potential use of the causative agent variola virus in bioterrorism. This article provides an overview of the World Health Organization's spectacular success in achieving the eradication of smallpox. It discusses how variola virus could potentially re-emerge and how prepared we are to counter such a re-emergence. Finally, the potential threat from other orthopoxviruses that exist naturally or that have been genetically engineered is considered. In the words of Rep. Christopher Shay, 'Better to be scared by the improbable possibility than to be unprepared for the catastrophic reality'.
Smith
Geoffrey L
GL
Department of Virology, The Wright Fleming Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1P6, UK. glsmith@ic.ac.uk
McFadden
Grant
G
D023482:Bioterrorism; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D012899:Smallpox / Q000266:history* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine / Q000266:history; D014611:Vaccination / Q000266:history; D012901:Variola virus; D014944:World Health Organization
D012900:Smallpox Vaccine