What is Smallpox?

What is Smallpox?

Small pox is a highly infectious disease caused by Variola which is spread by inhaling particles of the virus from the oral, nasal or pharyngeal mucosa of an infected person. Small pox caused an estimated 300-500 million deaths during the 20th century but was eventually declared eradicated in 1979 following successful worldwide immunisation programmes.  When discussing Smallpox, The World Health Organization (2013) says,  "It was one of the world's most feared diseases until it was eradicated by a collaborative global vaccination programme led by the World Health Organization" .The last known natural case was is Samalia in 1977.

Symptoms
Symptoms os Smallpox include:

• Fever
• Muscle Aches
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Tiredness
• Rash, which is small fluid filled blisters all over the body.

Below is a demonstration of the typical smallpox rash.

                                                        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox

References

1. WHO (2013) Smallpox. Geneva: WHO. [Online]. Available from:

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/smallpox/en/ [04/04/13].

2. Hicks. R, (2013) Smallpox. London: BBC. [Online]. Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/smallpox1.shtml [04/04/13].