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Smallpox Facts

Smallpox Facts
Smallpox is an infectious disease that is believed to have been transferred to humans approximately 16,000 to 68,000 years ago from an African rodent through a process known as zoonosis. In the 20th century it was responsible for killing as many as 500,000 million people, but was eradicated in 1979 because of the smallpox vaccine. There were two forms of smallpox including the most severe form called variola major, which was the most deadly, and variola minor, which had a death rate at 1% or less. Once contracted, the incubation period of smallpox was roughly 12 days. During this time the symptoms could be confused with the flu, but by day 12 to 15, lesions began to form, which were followed by a raised bumpy rash. Roughly 30% of those infected with variola major died.
Interesting Smallpox Facts:
The name smallpox is derived from the Latin word 'varius' which means 'spotted'. It was often referred to as the 'red plague' or 'pox' in the English language.
In the 1400s it began to be referred to as smallpox in order to distinguish the disease from the 'great pox' which was syphilis.
Smallpox outbreaks occurred for thousands of years before the development of a vaccine. The last case of smallpox in the United States was documented in 1949 and the last known naturally occurring case is documented in Somalia in 1977.
Although there is a vaccine for smallpox there is no cure, so vaccinations were necessary to eradicate the disease.
In order for the smallpox vaccine to work it must be administered prior to coming into contact with the virus.
If a person is vaccinated within four to seven days of exposure the severity of the disease may be lessened but it is not guaranteed.
Despite the smallpox vaccination not being given to Americans as part of the regular vaccination programs to prevent disease, there is enough on hand to administer if another outbreak were to occur.
Smallpox can be spread through direct contact with contaminated objects such as clothing, or through bodily fluids, but it generally not spread through the air.
Smallpox is not known to be transmitted by animals or insects. Humans are the only known carriers. It is believed that it originally began because of zoonosis, which is a process that involves transmission of a disease from an animal to a human. This does not mean that it is routinely transferred - just that it occurred even just once and spread.
An individual with smallpox is considered contagious until the very last scab has fallen off. Once this occurs the person is no longer able to spread smallpox to others.
The World Health Organization declared smallpox as being eradicated in 1980. It is the only infectious disease to have been given this distinction.
Because smallpox exists in laboratories in some places in the world there is concern by some governments that it may be used as a weapon in the future. Governments have implemented emergency plans to deal with outbreaks if they do occur, including mass vaccinations when necessary.


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