Smallpox is a contagious and often fatal infection caused by the variola
virus. It presents in two clinical forms: variola major smallpox
(historic mortality rate: 30%) and variola minor, which produces a
milder smallpox-like illness (historic mortality rate: less than 1%). There are
4 clinical subtypes of smallpox: ordinary, modified, flat and hemorrhagic. 90%
of all smallpox cases were ordinary. Modified smallpox occurs in persons that
have already been vaccinated against smallpox. Flat and hemorrhagic smallpox are
very severe and rare. Smallpox, in all its forms, was declared eradicated in
1980 and there has not been a case since, but the virus still exists in some
laboratories and may be in the hands of terrorists. Smallpox is classified as a
Category A bioterrorism agent because of its ease of dissemination,
contagiousness and high mortality rate. The most likely method of dispersal
would be as an aerosol, but simply having an infected individual walk around
infecting others is also a likely mode of dissemination. One case of smallpox
most certainly represents a terrorist attack.
The initial symptoms of smallpox occur after a 3 to 17 day incubation period
and include a prodrome of high fever, chills, headache, backache, malaise, and
vomiting. Severe abdominal pain and delirium can also be present. After 2 to 4
days a rash of macules and papules appears in the mouth and on the face and
extremities and spreads to the rest of the body, including the palms and soles.
The lesions of the rash evolve uniformly to vesicles and pustules, which usually
umbilicate, crust over, scab and fall off leaving pitted scars.
After 2 weeks of infection, death can occur from a toxemia secondary to
circulating immune complexes or from secondary infection. Encephalitis is a
possible complication. Hemorrhagic and flat forms are fulminant with mortality
rates approaching 100%, and do not display the typical umbilicated papules.
Humans are the only known hosts of the variola virus. Smallpox is
one of the most contagious diseases known, with only 5 to 10 virions sufficient
to produce infection. Smallpox is easily spread person-to-person by respiratory
droplets and/or contact with bodily fluids, lesions or scabs and contaminated
clothing or bedding. On rare occasions, in enclosed spaces, it has been
transmitted by virus carried in the air. Patients are most contagious from about
24 hours before the time the typical rash first appears until the scabs heal and
fall off.
During the incubation period it is not contagious. Although routine
vaccination of children in the United States against smallpox was discontinued
in 1972, beginning in 2002 military personnel and some clinicians, law
enforcement personnel, public health officials and other first responders have
participated in a vaccination effort. Currently the vaccination is not available
to the general public.
|
Can You Help
Support
US
Exercise The First Amendment?
Click Here
To Shop Our Exclusive
& Patriotic
Products
or use the button below to PAY your respects!
"When The First Amendment Falls, So Shall The End
Begin..."
Addison B. Bachman |
|
|
