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Mar 26, 2024 · Smallpox is an infectious disease that begins with fever and headache and proceeds to an eruption of the skin that leaves pockmarks. For centuries smallpox was one of the world’s most-dreaded diseases. But it was also one of the first diseases to be controlled by a vaccine, which led to its eradication in 1980.
Jun 7, 2016 · What is Smallpox? Before smallpox was eradicated, it was a serious infectious disease caused by the variola virus. It was contagious—meaning, it spread from one person to another. People who had smallpox had a fever and a distinctive, progressive skin rash.
Smallpox. Thousands of years ago, variola virus (smallpox virus) emerged and began causing illness and deaths in human populations, with smallpox outbreaks occurring from time to time. Thanks to the success of vaccination, the last natural outbreak of smallpox in the United States occurred in 1949. In 1980, the World Health Assembly declared ...
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Smallpox. 28 June 2016 | Q&A. What is smallpox? Does it occur naturally? How can I catch it and is it contagious? How fast does smallpox spread? Weren't the remaining stocks of the smallpox virus destroyed after smallpox was eradicated? Then why is smallpox being talked about now? Can it be treated?
Origin of Smallpox. The origin of smallpox is unknown. The finding of smallpox-like rashes on Egyptian mummies suggests that smallpox has existed for at least 3,000 years. The earliest written description of a disease like smallpox appeared in China in the 4 th century CE (Common Era).
Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus. It gets its name from the Latin word for "spotted," referring to the raised, pustular bumps that break out over the face and...
Apr 7, 2023 · Overview. Smallpox caused a hard, blistering rash over most of your body that left disfiguring scars. What is smallpox? Smallpox was a serious illness that killed hundreds of millions before its eradication. It caused a hard, blistering rash that often led to disfiguring scars. About 1 in 3 people who got smallpox died from it.
