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Smallpox |
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| Smallpox as a Bioweapon |
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Although naturally occurring smallpox has been eradicated, there is still
heightened concern that the variola virus might be used as an agent of
bioterrorism. In the first documented case of biological warfare, in the 18th
century, contaminated blankets used by smallpox patients were distributed among
Native American Indians by the British with the intent of initiating outbreaks.
A smallpox epidemic occurred, killing more than 50% of affected tribes. If a
strain of the variola virus could be obtained, it could be manufactured easily
and disseminated widely in an aerosol release. A release of smallpox could
escalate to a catastrophic global epidemic unless effective control measures can
be implemented quickly.
Smallpox has been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a
"Category A" agent, meaning it has been given high priority due to its potential
threat to national security. The following references provide information on the
use of smallpox as a bioweapon and associated issues to be considered during a
smallpox outbreak.
- Emergency Preparedness & Response: Smallpox.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Contains extensive
smallpox information, including fact sheets, overviews, FAQs, diagnosis and
evaluation, infection control, laboratory testing, surveillance and
investigation, selected publications, and education and training materials.
- Inglesby, Thomas V., et al. "Smallpox as a Biological Weapon: Medical and Public Health Management."
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 281.22(1999, June 9):
2281-2290. Considers the prospect of an aerosol release of variola virus, and provides information on epidemiology, infection signs and
symptoms, diagnosis and monitoring, vaccination, medical treatment, infection
control, environmental decontamination, and more.
- Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare:
Chapter 27 - Smallpox. US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious
Diseases (USAMRIID), 114 KB
PDF, 21 pages. Provides a thorough review of smallpox, including its
history and epidemiology, as well as biological warfare and clinical issues.
- USAMRIID's Medical Management of Biological Casualties Handbook, Fifth Edition.
US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), (2004,
August), 2 MB
PDF, 182 pages. Provides
specific information on a number of potential bioterrorist agents,
including smallpox.
- Variola Virus (Smallpox).
Texas Department of State Health Services, Infectious Disease Control Unit (IDCU),
(2005, October). Provides information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
available in the event smallpox virus is used as a bioterrorist weapon.
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