Smallpox News and Research

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Smallpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the Orthopox virus family. It is one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity, with a mortality rate as high as 30%. In 1967, the World Health Organization embarked upon an intensified vaccination campaign to eliminate smallpox, which culminated in the successful eradication of the disease globally by 1980.

By the mid-1980s, there were only two known repositories of variola virus: the Institute of Virus Preparations in Russia, and the US CDC. The events in the US in September and October 2001 highlighted the risk that the variola virus might be used as an agent of bioterrorism. Governments around the world are taking precautionary measures to be ready to deal with a potential smallpox outbreak.

Research examines possibility of monkeypox transmission in domestic settings

In a recent article posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers conducted environmental sampling for an imported monkeypox virus (MPXV) case in the United Kingdom (UK).

30 Jun 2022

What you need to know about monkeypox

The World Health Organization said June 25 that monkeypox wasn't yet a public health emergency of international concern. More than 4,500 cases have been reported worldwide, with more than 300 in the U.S. And with public health officials unable to follow all chains of transmission, they're likely undercounting cases.

29 Jun 2022

Should monkeypox be considered a sexual transmitted infection?

The present monkeypox outbreak is marked by sustainable human-to-human transmission.

28 Jun 2022

Scientists assess potential of monkeypox transmission at mass gatherings

In a new study, researchers assessed the potential of monkeypox transmission at mass gatherings.

27 Jun 2022

Review and case study illustrates the challenges of monkeypox

A new paper published in Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease reviews the history of this disease in and outside Africa, with special reference to its clinical difficulties.

27 Jun 2022

Researchers determine public attitudes towards monkeypox infections

Researchers assessed the attitudes of the general US population towards monkeypox infections.

27 Jun 2022

Addressing parents' hesitancy to vaccinate their children against COVID

Researchers examine notable risk factors related to vaccine hesitancy among parents.

23 Jun 2022

Focus on good surveillance and control measures can help Africa to curb monkeypox

African governments must focus on investing in their surveillance systems and strengthening preparedness to curb the rapid spread of infectious diseases like monkeypox, experts have said.

22 Jun 2022

Researchers assess monkeypox clinical management guidelines worldwide

A new study demonstrated the scarcity of appropriate clinical management guidelines for monkeypox infections across the globe.

20 Jun 2022

Combating monkeypox during COVID-19

Scientists describe the global prevalence and significance of the current monkeypox virus outbreak.

19 Jun 2022

The implications of monkeypox for healthcare workers

Researchers discuss the implications of the current monkeypox outbreak during the COVID-19 pandemic for healthcare personnel.

14 Jun 2022

Genomic analysis of the 2022 monkeypox outbreak

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* pre-print server, researchers analyzed two genomic sequences of the Monkeypox virus from Belgium and Portugal termed ITM001 and PT0001, respectively, to show that the May 2022 Monkeypox outbreak most likely originated from the West African clade of the virus.

14 Jun 2022