EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -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.

Detailed explanation-2: -Currently, there is no evidence of naturally occurring smallpox transmission anywhere in the world. Although a worldwide immunization program eradicated smallpox disease decades ago, small quantities of smallpox virus officially still exist in two research laboratories in Atlanta, Georgia, and in Russia.

Detailed explanation-3: -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.

Detailed explanation-4: -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 body of those affected.