title: Smallpox as an actual biothreat: lessons learned from its outbreak in ex-Yugoslavia in 1972.
abstract: Variola (smallpox) virus is classified as class A of potential biological weapons, due to its microbiological, genetic, antigenic and epidemiological characteristics. The potential danger is more real because vaccination against smallpox has stopped since disease eradication in 1979. That is why we want to share our unique, rich experience and acquired knowledge in the fight against this highly contagious and deadly disease during the smallpox outbreak in ex-Yugoslavia in 1972. It was the largest postwar outbreak in Europe when there were officially registered 175 ill patients, 35 of them with lethal outcome. This outbreak was specific by the time of its occurrence, the affected territory, dimensions and some epidemiological characteristics, but also by the well-organized, synchronized and efficient reaction of the competent state services in the fight against it.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Elizabeta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ristanovic
authors.affiliation: Institute for Virology, Vaccines and Sera Torlak, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gligic
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atanasievska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Protic-Djokic
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Dragutin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jovanovic
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro.
authors.forename: Miodrag
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Radunovic
mesh_terms: D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D012899:Smallpox / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history*; D014611:Vaccination; D015022:Yugoslavia / Q000453:epidemiology