Smallpox

Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by Variola virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus family. It was one of the world's most feared diseases until it was eradicated by a collaborative global vaccination programme led by the World Health Organization. The last known natural case was in Somalia in 1977. Since then, the only known cases were caused by a laboratory accident in 1978 in Birmingham, England, which killed one person and caused a limited outbreak. Smallpox was officially declared eradicated in 1979.

PREPAREDNESS IN THE EVENT OF A SMALLPOX OUTBREAK - For more information PROGRAMME TO FACILITATE VARIOLA VIRUS RESEARCH - For more information

WHO FACT SHEET - English FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - For more information INFORMATION RESOURCES - For more information

WHO Biosafety Inspection Team Report
CDC Variola Virus Maximum Containment Laboratories
Atlanta , Georgia, USA, 2-6 March 2009 [pdf 105kb]

Smallpox eradication: destruction of variola virus stocks
18 May 2007,
Sixtieth World Health Assembly
Full text

Smallpox eradication: destruction of variola virus stocks
Executive Board , Report of the Secretariat, January 2007

Ad Hoc Committee on Orthopoxvirus Infections
Report of a meeting, Geneva, 2004

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