Smallpox

Alternative names:

variola; variola (both major & minor)

Definition:

A viral disease characterized by a vesicular skin rash and high death rate.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Smallpox was a disease of worldwide distribution with both high morbidity (serious illness) and high mortality (death). Under a massive program by the world health organization (WHO) smallpox, which has only humans as the host, has been eradicated. Smallpox now exists only as stored virus at two research disease centers. There is presently a debate as to whether to store the last remaining virus or destroy it.