 |
 |
|
More than 20 years after its eradication, smallpox is feared as a potential bioterrorism weapon. CDC is working with its partners to protect the American public should the threat become a reality. |
Smallpox, a serious, highly contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease, was eradicated decades ago. Yet in the wake of September 11, 2001 the formidable disease was once again in the news, and is now feared as a potential agent of bioterrorism.
Smallpox outbreaks have occurred from time to time for thousands of years, but the disease was eradicated after a successful worldwide vaccination program. The last case of smallpox in the United States was reported in 1949. The last naturally occurring case in the world was reported in Somalia in 1977. After the disease was eradicated from the world, thanks in part to the efforts of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), routine vaccination against smallpox was stopped because it was no longer necessary for prevention.
Today, the smallpox virus is kept in two approved labs in the U.S. and Russia. However, credible concern exists that the virus was made into a weapon by some countries and that terrorists may have obtained it. CDC calls smallpox a “Category A” agent. Category A agents are believed to present the greatest potential threat for harming public health. While the risk for smallpox occurring as a result of a deliberate release by terrorists is not known, but is considered very low.
Smallpox causes high fever, headache, backache and pustules in the mouth and over the face and arms, spreading to the trunk and legs. About 30 percent of cases of the most common form of smallpox result in death.
Generally, direct and fairly prolonged face-to-face contact is required to spread smallpox from one person to another. Most experts agree that each infectious person could infect five to six others. Smallpox also can be spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing. Rarely, smallpox has been spread by virus carried in the air in enclosed settings such as buildings, buses and trains. The smallpox virus is not strong and is killed by sunlight and heat. In lab experiments, 90 percent of aerosolized smallpox virus dies within 24 hours; in the presence of sunlight, this percentage would be even greater.
Although research is ongoing, currently no proven treatment for smallpox exists. Patients with smallpox may be helped by intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain, and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may occur. One of the best ways to prevent smallpox is through vaccination.Vaccination within three days of exposure will completely prevent or significantly modify smallpox in the vast majority of people. Vaccination four to seven days after exposure likely offers some protection from disease or may modify the severity of disease.
After the events of September and October, 2001, the U.S. government took actions to improve its level of preparedness against terrorism. One of many such measures—designed specifically to prepare for an intentional release of the smallpox virus—included updating and releasing a smallpox response plan. Right now, the U.S. government has enough smallpox vaccine to vaccinate every person in the United States in the case of a smallpox emergency.
CDC has a detailed plan to protect Americans against the use of smallpox as a biological weapon. This plan includes the creation and use of special teams of health care and public health workers. If a smallpox case is found, these teams will take steps immediately to control the spread of the disease. Smallpox was wiped out through specific public health actions, including vaccination, and if another outbreak occurs, these actions will be used again to contain the virus and to protect the health and safety of U.S. communities.
To support CDC in its preparedness response efforts, the CDC Foundation established an emergency preparedness and response fund to provide CDC workers with quick access to flexible funds in times of crises. The CDC Foundation was also instrumental in the creation of CDC’s Marcus Emergency Operations Center. Learn more about how you can help.
To learn more about smallpox, visit the following web sites: