When there is talk of a bioterrorist attack, small pox is often mentioned. Common knowledge has it that the spread of the small pox virus could decimate entire populations. It is highly contagious and extremely dangerous. Unlike many other viruses that have been discovered in the past century, small pox has been around for thousands of years and epidemics of small pox have killed millions of people throughout history. It is a virus that exists only in humans.

The first small pox vaccine was invented 200 years ago and was, in fact, the very first vaccine ever invented. As it proved itself to be effective, the vaccine was quickly shared around the world. It took years, but in 1977, the last case of small pox was reported. In 1980, the World Health Organization announced that small pox had been effectively eliminated, and the vaccinations were discontinued.

However, the vaccination’s effectiveness has been found to wear off eventually, making nearly every person who has been inoculated before 1980 no longer immune to the virus. It is for this reason that releasing the small pox virus through artificial means is so frightening. There is an entire generation that has never been vaccinated for the virus, and no one knows for sure how those who have been vaccinated will be able to fight off an infection.

How Small Pox Spreads

The small pox virus spreads from person to person through breathing air contaminated with droplets of moisture that originate in the breath, cough, or sneeze of an infected person. The virus also clings to clothes and bed linens, and a person can be infected by the virus after touching something that was worn or used by an infected person. The one positive side to the virus is that it does not live very long in the environment. The small pox virus usually survives two days, even less if it is hot and humid.

Symptoms of small pox begin about two weeks after the infection. The person feels extremely ill from fever, headaches, and body aches. After a few days, a rash appears on the body. The rash often begins on the face and works its way down the trunk and legs. A person is contagious once the rash has started. About 30% of those who contract small pox die; the rest are disfigured from the pox scars. Currently there is no treatment for small pox, although treatments are being researched. There is also talk about reinstating the vaccine.