Smallpox

Smallpox is a highly contagious and often deadly disease caused by the Variola virus. It is characterized by the sudden onset of fever, headaches, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. The rash progresses to fluid-filled blisters that eventually scab over and fall off, leaving scars.

Smallpox has been responsible for millions of deaths throughout human history, but in 1980 it was declared eradicated from the world through a global vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organization. The last known natural case of smallpox occurred in Somalia in 1977.

The smallpox vaccine, which was developed by Edward Jenner in the late 18th century, works by using a related but less dangerous virus called cowpox to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that can also recognize and fight smallpox. Today, the smallpox vaccine is no longer routinely given because the disease no longer exists in the wild, but it is still stored in some laboratories for research purposes.

Smallpox remains a potential bioterrorism threat, and there is ongoing research to develop new antiviral treatments and vaccines in case of a deliberate release of the virus. However, the risk of an actual outbreak of smallpox is considered low due to the global eradication effort and strict security measures around the remaining laboratory stocks of the virus.

Our Smallpox Test Package Includes: