| Smallpox, a highly contagious disease, is unique | | | | Siberia, Russia. After 1970 the vaccination was |
| only to humans. The smallpox virus is caused by | | | | stopped in most places of the world, as the risks |
| two virus variants called Variola major and Variola | | | | of the vaccination include death, among other side |
| minor. Variola major is the more deadly form of | | | | effects that aren't meant to joke around |
| the virus; it usually has a mortality rte of 20-40 | | | | with.After the anthraz attacks on the United |
| percent of those that are infected with the virus. | | | | Sates in 2001, there have been several concerns |
| Variola minor on the other hand is much less | | | | that smallpox has/will resurface and possibly |
| severe and only kills 1% of its victims. Neither of | | | | become a virus for us in bioterrorism. These |
| the Variola's are bugs that you want to get. Avoid | | | | concerns have in turn raised more concerns about |
| them at all costs!Due to ulcerations of the cornea, | | | | the availability of vaccine stocks. The concerns |
| many survivors of the smallpox virus are left in | | | | are soo great in fact that, President George W. |
| one or both of their eyes. Often times they will | | | | Bush of the U.S.A. has ordered all of his American |
| also have constant skin scarring. Over the 20th | | | | military personnel to be vaccinated against |
| century the smallpox virus was responsible for an | | | | smallpox and has implemented a voluntary |
| estimated 200-450 million deaths. After | | | | program for vaccinating emergency medical |
| successfully completing several vaccination | | | | personnel.Feel free to reprint this article as long as |
| campaigns the World Health Organization(WHO) in | | | | you keep the article, this caption and author |
| 1979 stated that smallpox virus had been | | | | biography in tact with all hyperlinks.Ryan Fyfe is |
| eradicated. Cultures of the virus are always kept | | | | the owner and operator of Smallpox Information |
| at the Disease Control and Prevention which is | | | | - which is the best site on the internet for all |
| located in the United States of America, as well | | | | smallpox related information. |
| as in the Institue of Virus Preparations that is in | | | | |