Boston public health commission fact sheet smallpox boston public health commission infectious disease bureau 1010 massachusetts avenue boston, ma 02118. It was one of the worlds most devastating diseases known to humanity. Smallpox is an acute, contagious and sometimes fatal disease caused by the variola virus and marked by fever and a distinctive progressive skin rash. It has vaccinia virus in it, which is like the smallpox virus but safer. Smallpox fact sheet the johns hopkins center for health security. Although smallpox was eradicated in 1977, there is the possibility that the illness may reappear due to an intentional. Complications can occur if the vaccine site comes in contact with other parts of your body or even other people. Hawaii state department of health disease investigation branch. Smallpox information and facts national geographic. Department of homeland security biological attack human pathogens, biotoxins, and agricultural threats what is it. Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes deadly disease caused by the variola virus. Smallpox vaccine fact sheet what is the smallpox vaccine. Smallpox fact sheet smallpox is a contagious disease caused by a virus smallpox is caused by the variola virus. Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by one of two virus variants, variola major and variola minor.
Smallpox fact sheet the disease smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes deadly disease. Also spread through contact with contaminated clothing. Although smallpox was eradicated in 1977, there is the possibi lity that the illness may reappear due to an intentional bioterrorist activity. Fact sheet formerly the center for biosecurity of upmc. If you are unable to find the information you need, call the mdh general line at 6512015000 and ask for an interpreter. Variola virus smallpox the johns hopkins center for health. Generally, direct and fairly prolonged facetoface contact is required to spread smallpox from person to person. An individual can be vaccinated up to 3 days after exposure.
There is no specific treat ment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. Smallpox variola page 1 of 2 communicable diseases factsheet smallpox last appeared in australia in 1938, and the last naturally occurring case in the world was reported from somalia in 1977. Fact sheets revised 10052010 disease investigation branch smallpox what is smallpox. Adverse effects of the smallpox vaccine according to the cdc, the following is a list of some of the. Blood tests of animals in africa later found evidence. In 1980, smallpox was declared eradicated following worldwide vaccination programs. The disease was first discovered in laboratory monkeys in 1958.
In the most severe, known as purpura variolosa or hemorrhagictype smallpox, the initial stage of the illness before the rash appears is accompanied by a dark, purplish, blotchy flushing of the skin. Historically, the vaccine has been effective in preventing smallpox infection in 95% of those vaccinated. Federation of american scientists smallpox fact sheet. This fact sheet outlines the clinical guidelines for postsmallpox vaccine associated myopericarditis algorithm. Because it is both highly contagious and highly lethal, smallpox presents a preeminent threat as a biological weapon. Before smallpox was eradicated, it was a serious infectious disease caused by the variola virus.
Smallpox is a contagious disease caused by a virus called variola. The vaccine stimulates the immune system to react against the vaccinia virus, and develop immunity to it. Smallpox vaccine fact sheet henrico county, virginia. Smallpox somali pdf for more information smallpox facts. The last known natural case was in somalia in 1977. People who had smallpox had a fever and a distinctive, progressive skin rash. It was declared eradicated in 1980 following a global immunization campaign led by the world health organization. Smallpox research in the united states continues and focuses on the development of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostic tests to protect people against smallpox in the event that it is used as an agent of bioterrorism. People with smallpox had a fever and a distinctive skin rash.
Smallpox outbreaks occurred for thousands of years, but the disease was eliminated from the world after a successful vaccination campaign. Inhibits the viral envelope formation and spread of the virus hruby d. The last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in october 1977, and the world health organization who certified the global eradication of the disease in 1980. Smallpox vaccine fact sheet what are the possible side effects from the smallpox vaccine. The name smallpox is derived from the latin word for spotted and refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of an infected person. The orthopoxvirus genus also includes the vaccinia, monkeypox, cowpox, camelpox and ectromelia viruses. If you get the shot before youve been exposed to smallpox, it will likely protect you for at least 3 to 5 years. Also, there is a smallpox vaccine what is a pdf document. Variola major is the severe and most common form of smallpox, with a.
Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus family. Monkeypox monkeypox in the united states monkeypox and smallpox vaccine people who should get smallpox vaccine to prevent monkeypox people who should not get smallpox vaccine even after monkeypox exposure. If a person is vaccinated again later, immunity lasts even longer. The name smallpox is derived from the latin word for spotted and refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of. Most people with smallpox recovered, but about 3 out of every 10 people with the disease died. Cdc smallpox is caused by the doublestranded dna orthopoxviruses variola major and variola minor. Facts about smallpox brochure kitsap county department of. Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease. People who have survived smallpox cannot get it again. Smallpox information for the public what should i know about smallpox.
Fact sheet smallpox wh ere can i get more information. Fact sheet formerly the center for biosecurity of upmc variola virus smallpox background smallpox is a highly contagious and deadly disease caused by the variola virus. Smallpox is a highly contagious infection caused by the variola virus. Smallpox variola fact sheet smallpox last appeared in australia in 1938, and the last naturally occurring case in the world was reported from somalia in 1977. Smallpox supplemental fact sheet investigational vaccinia immune globulin vig information the smallpox vaccine is made from a live virus related to smallpox called vaccinia not smallpox virus. The virus is now only held officially in two secure laboratories. Communicable diseases factsheet smallpox last appeared in. Smallpox disease had a mortality rate of approximately 30 percent, and because of a successful vaccination program it was declared globally eradicated in 1980. Any reappearance of smallpox is likely to be the result of bioterrorism, but the. It was estimated to have infected 300 million people in the 20th century before it became the only human infectious disease ever to be completely eradicated. It spreads from person to person in droplets, creating a selfpropagating epidemic. Transmitted in air droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. There is no cure for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. Smallpox is a contagious viral disease that causes a progressive skin rash.
The risk of death following contracting the disease was about 30%, with higher rates among babies. Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same group of viruses as smallpox virus. Smallpox results from infection by variola virus genus orthopoxvirus, family poxviridae. Smallpox is a serious contagious and sometimes fatal disease caused by the variola virus, and marked by fever and a distinctive progressive skin rash. Smallpox vaccine fact sheet virginia department of health. Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus.
There is no specific treatment and the only prevention is vaccination. All individuals in who smallpox is suspected would be placed under health monitoring. People with smallpox must avoid contact with unvaccinated individuals in order to prevent transmitting the disease to them. Smallpox is a contagious and sometimes fatal infectious disease caused by the variola virus. Smallpox was a major health problem worldwide for thousands of years, but was eradicated in the late 1970s after a successful worldwide vaccination program. Anaplasmosis fact sheet spanish pdf for more information anaplasmosis fact sheet pdf asthma. The smallpox vaccine is a live virus vaccine made from a virus called vaccinia, which is another poxtype virus related to smallpox. In the united states, routine vaccination against smallpox ended in 1972. It gets its name from the latin word for spotted, referring to the raised, pustular bumps that break out over the face and. The last naturally occurring case of smallpox occurred in somalia in 1977 and the world health organization has considered the disease eradicated since 1979. Smallpox is spread person to person by droplet or aerosol expelled from the oropharynx of infected person.
The smallpox vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. Communicable disease investigation reference manual. The vial holds approximately 100 doses of the smallpox vaccine. Due to an aggressive immunization program by the world health organization and its inability to survive for more than a week outside of its only host. It spread from persontoperson and caused a fever and a distinctive skin rash. Smallpox outbreaks have occurred from time to time for thousands of years, but the. A fact sheet from the national academies and the u. Smallpox virus revision 052615 state public health.
Select agents fact sheet di s e a s e p a th o g e n ge n u s p e s ho s t g e t ra n s m i s s i on s y m p to ms i b a t io n f c t re a e n t p ho o smallpox virus poxviridae requires direct contact to spread. It was contagiousmeaning, it spread from one person to another. Before smallpox was eradicated eliminated, it was a serious infectious disease caused by the variola virus. Smallpox infects only humans, and the last naturally acquired case of smallpox in the world occurred in 1977. Some documents are presented in portable document format pdf. Smallpox vaccination provides highlevel immunity for 3 to 5 years and decreasing immunity thereafter. Smallpox is caused by the variola virus that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. Smallpox fact sheet smallpox overview the disease smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease. A vial of dried smallpox vaccination is shown december 5, 2002, in altamonte springs, florida. Contaminated clothing or bed linens can also spread the virus. People who developed purpura variolosa usually have a severe loss of blood into the skin and.