Smallpox is an acute, contagious, and sometimes fatal
disease caused by infection with a virus known as the variola virus. Smallpox
outbreaks have occurred from time to time for thousands of years, but in 1980
the disease was declared eradicated following worldwide vaccination programs.
Except for stockpiles in high-security laboratories, the virus has been
eliminated. However, if obtained and deliberately released as a bioweapon,
smallpox could cause a public health catastrophe.
The following questions link to information relevant to smallpox in the
workplace.
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