Smallpox Virus

Template:Smallpox Virus Curated

Description

The variola virus is a rather large, rectangular shaped, double-stranded DNA pathogen. Unique from other DNA viruses, the variola virus replicates in the cytoplasm of parasitized host cells. Smallpox is capable of solely infecting humans and does not exist in a carrier state.The virus is capable of surviving in environments for a short period of time, and has maximum stability at low humidity and temperatures. Variola is most efficiently spread by inhalation and less effectively by direct contact with scabs or puss from infected skin lesions.

Socioeconomic Impact

The first appearance of smallpox lesions were found from Egyptian mummies including Pharaoh Ramses V who died in 1157 BC, although it is believed to have first invaded the earth around 10,000 BC. The first recorded epidemic of smallpox was in 1350 BC. The World Health Organization officially announced the world clear of the smallpox virus in 1980. This was the first disease to be eradicated by scientific effort. Throughout the twentieth century, smallpox killed 300-500 million people with the survivors being left severely scared or blinded. Smallpox killed twice as many people as genocide, war, and famines total did throughout the twentieth century. Twenty to sixty percent of the population who was infected died from the disease and this percent increases to 80 when talking about children. It is hard to measure the full impact a 12,000 year old disease has had on the human population. Current issues with smallpox are whether or not the disease should be destroyed and not contained in a freezer of a laboratory.

References

Created by Danielle Lewis