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Courtney Byers
04 December 2017
Smallpox: from eradication to weaponization Byers 2
I. Abstract
Smallpox is one of the most lethal diseases in the world today. This is because of its
fatality, and severity of its impacts. Smallpox was quite prevalent until early 1972s when it was
eradicated (Whitley, 2003). However, even after eradication, there are still some stored amounts
of the smallpox-causing virus. Bioterrorism has also been on the rise in modern terrorism,
making it more of a global threat. With the severity and fatality of smallpox, it could be a
soon as possible to avoid future attacks. Also, there are no active vaccines and medicine for this
disease. Therefore, it is necessary for scientists and biological and chemical experts to come
together and develop a drug that can heal smallpox, as well as a vaccine that can be used to
prevent it.
II. Introduction
Smallpox is a lethal disease. There have been no cases of smallpox outbreak recently.
This epidemic is much feared by people all over the world (Berche, 2001). This is because of its
fatality. It has a high mortality rate, and it also disfigures the infected people. It is also known to
cause blindness. Bioterrorism targets the use of such agents as the small-pox causing virus to
cause harm to people. This makes Variola virus a potential agent for bioterrorism. As such, this
paper will be looking at how possible this virus can be used for terrorism, and how the
responsible authorities can prevent this. The paper will show how smallpox developed and how
previous cases have been. The paper will also discuss smallpox as a bioterrorism tool. Also, it
will explain the methods that have previously been used to eradicate smallpox and how this
Bioterrorism is the use of biological agents to cause harm to others (Berche, 2001).
Usually, terrorists can intentionally release biological substances to the atmosphere, with the
Smallpox: from eradication to weaponization Byers 3
intention of creating damage to others. Biological agents are dangerous once they are released
out into the environment. They cause illnesses which can sometimes lead to instant death or
prolonged and permanent health problems. An example of a biological agent is the virus that
causes smallpox.
Smallpox is very deadly. Berche (2001) argued that it is important to eradicate smallpox because
of its high case-fatality rate. He further explained that unless somebody had been vaccinated four
days before the exposure, there is no antivirus for the Variola virus. This makes smallpox quite
dangerous for the society because of the lack of antivirus. Further, smallpox can be easily
transmitted from one person to another. Therefore, it is really important to keep smallpox
eradicated.
A biological agent causes smallpox; a virus called Variola virus. Smallpox has very
fatal and has a very high rate of transmitting ability. Because of this, smallpox poses a significant
threat to national security. Terrorists can release the smallpox virus with the intention of posing a
threat to public health, and to cause fear amongst people. According to Berche (2001), even
though smallpox was eradicated in 1980, there are still several cans of it stored in some
for use by the military. The fact that it is there, and the fact
III. Background
Smallpox is said to have originated from Egypt. The first condition was diagnosed around
10000-12000 years ago (Graeden et al. 2014). Research shows that some people from that era
had lesions and bumps on their skin. A good example was Ramses, shown in figure 1, who was a
ruler in Egypt around this time. His monuments and pictures show that he had bumps on his face
and his body, after which smallpox was named. In 1754 to around 1767, the Variola virus was
used as a biological weapon in the war between the French and Indians and the United States.
The virus was British soldiers gave the Indians some blankets which had been used by people
who had been infected with smallpox. Hence, it was transmitted to them.
During this era, the worst smallpox condition that was recorded is said to have killed
about thirty percent of the people exposed to the virus and left many disfigured. However, it is
said that the effects were more excellent in America. America did not have exposure to the
Variola virus until the arrival of Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors stated that smallpox and
ninety percent.
smallpox cases from the 1920s to Figure 2: This graph represents the total reported cases between 1920
and 2010.
Smallpox: from eradication to weaponization Byers 5
eradication in the 1980s. In the 1950s, it was reported that more than 50 million of the annual
deaths were caused by smallpox. In the early 1960s, there was a smallpox outbreak in the Soviet
Union, followed by another outbreak in early 1970s in the same region. Currently, the virus is
being stored in two different laboratories under very high security. In the 1980s, the World
Health Organization ordered that the stock of these viruses b destroyed. However, researchers
advised otherwise arguing that the stock could be used for further research, towards coming up
Smallpox is a lethal disease that is spread through various methods. Controlling the spread
of the disease is a vital element in minimizing casualty and promoting better health. There is no
defined treatment for smallpox. Hence, victims that contract the disease are more likely not to
survive the ideal. However, vaccination of the victims within 4-7 days of exposure has proven to
reduce the severity of the disease. In this regard, quarantine of victims has been used over time
as a control measure to minimize rate of the spread. Therefore, vaccination against smallpox is
In 1971, there was a smallpox outbreak in Aralsk. This was entirely unexpected because
the smallpox endemic had been eradicated from the Soviet Union in the 1930s. Another outbreak
had occurred a decade earlier, in 1961 in the same town. The Soviet Union health authorities
agreed to keep the attack a secret against the International agreement, which requires such
attacks to be reported to the World Health Organization. This mystery remained undiscovered
until the 1990s. It was reported that the attack was probably caused by the Soviet military
biological weapons testing of the Variola major virus which causes smallpox. It is also said that
classified into Variola major and Variola minor viruses based on the severity of the infection that
Smallpox: from eradication to weaponization Byers 6
it can cause (Whitley, 2003). The virus is said to have an inversely proportional relationship with
the environment. Before its eradication period, it was more likely to survive in winter and spring,
of the body. On the third day of the Figure 3: A patient that is infected with smallpox and has
developed the infectious rash.
fourth day after infection, asymptomatic
viremia occurs in the spleen, bone marrow, and other lymph nodes, with further dissemination of
the virus. On the eighth day of the twelfth day after infection, secondary viremia occurs, and at
this point, an onset fever and toxemia will occur. The virus then settles on the small blood cells
of the dermis, the mouth, and the throat. Hence a rash will appear in the mouth, the throat, and
the skin. At this stage, shown in figure 3, the victim becomes infectious. Other body parts which
are affected are the spleen, lymph nodes, kidneys, liver, and bone marrow.
Rashes appear in the mouth, throat and on the skin. Lesions also develop in the
epidermis, as the cells become swollen and vacuolated (Whitley, 2003). This could lead to the
bursting of the cell membranes. At this stage, characteristic B-type inclusion bodies can be found
in the cytoplasm. Fever is also a significant symptom of smallpox. Body aches, headache, chills,
Smallpox: from eradication to weaponization Byers 7
malaise, muscle aches, and particularly backache, may also be experienced. Can be difficult to
diagnosis sometimes and can easily misdiagnose due to other diseases have similar signs and
symptoms.
Smallpox cases in the United States were reported lastly in 1947. There were twelve
victims as a result of an outbreak in the New York City. There used to be vaccination operations
in the United States that ended in the year 1972. The vaccinations that were being carried out in
the military came to an end in 1990 (Whitley, 2003). Even though some evidence shows the
existence of residual immunity, it is worth noting that over the last thirty years, the immune
There are
Figure 4 shows
common smallpox
the best vaccines for smallpox is going on, and we expect that more vaccines will be introduced
in future. First was the first generation vaccines, which were manufactured using the same
Variola virus which causes smallpox (Baciu, & Ebrary, 2005). Therefore, the vaccines were not
as effective. Second, came the second-generation vaccines which were manufactured using a
clonal virus that was purified from the first generation vaccine stock. Third was the third
Smallpox: from eradication to weaponization Byers 8
generation vaccine, which is safer for use by human beings. Before being used on people, they
have tested on several cell culture animals. Also, they are manufactured in line with the general
manufacturing practices and using modern technology and techniques (Baciu, & ebrary 2005).
component in the immunization programs (Baciu, & ebrary, 2005). Vaccines are rigorously
tested and monitored under a strict safety research. The efficacy is analyzed and observed during
the process of vaccination testing, and the results from the test form the basis of the testing
process. The testing process lasts a lifetime of every vaccine that is tested.
Figure 5: The process of long-term immunity when given a vaccine. effective for a period of 3 to 5
years (Baciu, & Ebrary, 2005). After the vaccine is administered, the victim is commonly
expected to experience fever. However, minimal occurrences of death after vaccination have
been reported.
With the increase in the risk of terror, biological weapons have taken center stage.
Historical use and deployment of biological warfare have been the new common weapon among
terror group (Zelicoff, & Bellomo, 2006)s. In the 15th Century, Pizarro was reported to have
Smallpox: from eradication to weaponization Byers 9
issued South Americans with clothes that were contaminated with smallpox. The increased use
Smallpox vaccination in the United States was made possible by administration of the
vaccinia virus vaccines. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Matters only allows this
virus to be handled by lab technicians who are exposed to the virus that can infect them with
smallpox (Fong & Alibek, 2005). In this regard, regulations and policies were defined to monitor
the usage of the vaccines across the United States. As such, there are fewer cases of new
smallpox victims, Fong recommended that the vaccine is preserved. Lab personnel working with
orthodox viruses are prone to infection with smallpox; hence are supposed to be administered
The use of biological weapons in the war zone is an aspect that has been evident since the
1900s (Barras, & Greub, 2014). Biological weapons refer to the use of viruses, bacteria, and fungi
that when released to people cause fatal deaths and injuries. Bioterrorism is an act that is aimed
Smallpox contaminated blankets were issued to the Indians as an act of terror. This
resulted in more than 50% mortality rate. In the 1970s, there were evident outbreaks, which
occurred in Germany (1970) and Yugoslavia (1972). Low doses of smallpox were released in
Biological agents are the substances used to cause harm to the human body. The use of
these agents has been common in modern terrorism and warfare. Examples of these agents are
viruses, bacteria, toxins, and Rickettsia (Barras, & Greub, 2014). Examples of bacteria are those
that cause anthrax, cholera, and malaria. Examples of viruses are those that cause hemorrhagic
Smallpox: from eradication to weaponization Byers 10
fever, viral hepatitis, and smallpox. Examples of toxins are Mycotoxins, Neurotoxin, and
Phytotoxin. Example of rickettsia is those that cause typhus, spotted fever, and query fever.
Quarantine is where people who have been exposed to a biological agent are separated
from other people, and their movement is restricted to a particular area so that they can be
observed on whether they will get sick (Khardori, 2006). On the other hand, isolation is where
the sick people are separated from those who are not sick so that they cannot infect those who are
not yet infected. Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, quarantine method is better than
isolation. This is because if people who have been exposed to a biological agent are confined
within a certain area, this prevents the spread of the virus to other people even before the
infection has occurred. On the other hand, isolation waits until the infection has been confirmed.
Therefore, before it has been diagnosed, there is a possibility that the infected people will have
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) refers to the kind of protective clothing or kit that
people are required to wear while at work or when handling specific equipment (Khardori,
2006). This protective kit is meant to shield these people from risks to their health and safety.
For example, there are respiratory protective equipment and dermal protective equipment.
materials that may affect their breathing or respiratory system (Khardori, 2006). There are two
types of respiratory protective equipment. One is the respirators, which use filters to remove any
contaminants in the air within a given workstation. Two is the breathing apparatus which is used
to supply clean breathing air from an independent source. For people working is risky areas, it is
that may be harmful to their skin (Khardori, 2006). That is, this equipment protects the wearer
from skin damage. Examples of this equipment are gloves, jackets, overalls, and boots. They
completely shield the skin from any exposure to hazardous material, and from injuries that may
be caused by machines.
Public health is an integral component of health care and promotion of health. In this
regard, the management and execution of health actions that promote better health are considered
as vital aspects of public health care and management (Parker et al., 2014). Policy formulation
and governance are of the essence as far as health is considered. Policies define the environment
and the realm of public health. Governance and policymakers are vital pillars that define laws
and regulations which affect the existence and efficacy of health programs (Parker et al., 2014).
In the existence of the law and policies governing legal implications, the issue of liability is
inevitable. Liability protection is paramount when addressing health. Hence, humanity needs to
be shielded from effects that might emanate from any vaccination vice. Otherwise, compensation
Biological weapons are lethal and destructive to the humanity. Smallpox has a severe
effect on the human body. The media shows that there is a possibility that some of the terror
groups could be contemplating using Smallpox as a bioweapon. From media reports, threats
from terrorists have been evident. In 2002, Tony Blair spent resources in promoting smallpox
vaccine as a countermove against a terror threat (Epstein, Cummings, & Chakravarty, 2004).
There is no medicine for smallpox. The vaccine is the only prevention available for the
disease. The virus is spread by air, touch, and sharing of tools such as razors and toothbrushes
(Epstein, Cummings, & Chakravarty, 2004). In this regard, prevention requires someone to stay
Smallpox: from eradication to weaponization Byers 12
away from contact with someone with smallpox. More so, smallpox victims are quarantined to
prevent the spread of the disease as it is highly contagious. Vaccination of smallpox within 4-7
days after exposure has proven to lessen the severity of the disease (Baciu, & Ebrary, 2005).
However, it is worth noting that this does not entirely prevent or cure the disease.
Biowatch is a program that was initiated by the United States federal government to
detect the release of hazardous biological and chemical agents in their cities and towns (Parker et
al. 2014). The centers for disease control and prevention offer a vital platform for the control and
testing of vaccinations. Monitoring vaccines during the development period are paramount to
Smallpox is a disease that cannot be treated (Baciu, & Ebrary, 2005). Or yet, the cure has
not yet been found. Hence, prevention is the only remedy against the disease. Hence, vaccination
There are no alternative treatments for smallpox. The vaccine is meant to prevent
contracting the disease. Hence, the condition has no cure after the victim contracts the disease.
Vaccination is the process of using the vaccinia virus to boost the humans body against
smallpox virus. In this regard, some people are prone to react to the vaccine. Vaccination against
smallpox is a remedy for the disease (Molina & Earn, 2015). It has no treatment; it is paramount
that the vaccination is administered to prevent any possible threat and spread of smallpox.
IV. Discussion/Conclusion
There is need to develop alternative treatments for smallpox. This is because, as lethal
as it is, it can pose a great threat to humanity. The ease of transmission and its ability to take so
many lives in a short while makes it necessary for the government to come up with disaster
management measures, such as a special first aid, that can be given to those who are exposed to
the virus, to prevent them from getting the disease. Also, it is imperative for the government to
Smallpox: from eradication to weaponization Byers 13
invest more in protective equipment, especially for those who are more likely to come into
contact with the virus, such as the military. Therefore, this paper shows that there are high
chances of the Variola virus to be used as a biological agent by terrorists. Therefore, the
government should seek to enhance its security by eradicating the virus by all means possible.
References
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