(CDC, 1966-1977)
"Research has developed new and safer vaccines to be kept in reserve for the most improbable emergence of smallpox disease."
(Roy, 2010)
(Roy, 2010)
Smallpox Today
Today, smallpox remains in only two places: the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia and at VECTOR, a research laboratory in Moscow, Russia. The samples in these labs are being used for further research. However, smallpox is eradicated from the public and no longer infects people today.
BioterrorismWith smallpox eradicated, there is a higher threat of bioterrorism. Smallpox has been used as a bioweapon multiple times in history. In 1863, Confederate soldiers sold clothes from smallpox patients to Union soldiers. In 1763, the British gave blankets from smallpox patients to the Native Americans. Even in 1775, the British sent a ship to America with smallpox patients on the boat so they would infect the country and military camp. The CDC must remain on alert in case of scenarios like these.
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This is a letter from George Washington stating that there are smallpox patients on a boat coming to America to infect the country and camp
(Washington, 1775).
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Vaccine TodayThe smallpox vaccine, used during the Smallpox Eradication Program, now has no purpose. The vaccine is stored away for possible use in case of a breakout of the disease or a bioterrorist attack.
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(CDC Personal Visit, 2016)
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"In 1980, the World Health Assembly declared smallpox eradicated (eliminated), and no cases of naturally occurring smallpox have happened since. Smallpox research in the United States continues and focuses on the development of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostic tests to protect people against smallpox in the event that it is used as an agent of bioterrorism."
(CDC, 2016)
(CDC, 2016)