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Center Articles and Publications Smallpox and Vaccinia In: Plotkin S and Orenstein W, eds. Vaccines. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 1999:74-97. Excerpt from Introduction: "Smallpox is now a disease of historical interest only, its eradication having been certified by the World Health Assembly on May 8, 1980. An exanthematous viral disease, it was once prevalent throughout the world, existing as an endemic infection wherever concentrations of population were sufficient to sustain transmission. Outbreaks of variola major, the only known variety until the end of the 19th century, resulted in case-fatality rates of 20% or more. Most of those who survived had distinctive residual facial pockmarks, and some were blind. A second variety, variola minor, produced less severe illness and was associated with case-fatality rates of 1% or less. It was first described in South Africa by de Korte and in the United States by Chapin and subsequently became the prevalent variety throughout the United States, parts of South America, and Europe as well as some areas of eastern and southern Africa." Note: Full chapter available on the publisher's website. |