SMALLPOX

Smallpox has a historical case fatality rate of 30%. Edward Jenner demonstrated in 1796 that an infection with cowpox protected against smallpox. In 1980 the WHO recommended that all countries stop vaccinating against smallpox. About 45% of the US population has not been vaccinated against smallpox (routine vaccinated stopped in 1972).

Russia continues weapons development. In 1997, a Russian researcher published a report that he had successfully inserted a gene for Ebola into the Vaccinia genome. Smallpox aerosol weapon tested in 1972

Smallpox is spread by droplet from person to person. Face to face contact within 6 feet has the greatest risk. Disease transmission is slower than for measles. Transmission is primarily within households (outbreaks in schools have been uncommon). Patients are most infectious from onset of rash through days 7-10. The infectious dose may be 1 virion. At the end of the 12-14 day incubation period patients develop fever, malaise, headache and backache.