Smallpox II

The Variola Virus species causes two acute infectious diseases believed to have emerged in human population during the 10000 BC.


HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
The smallpox virus could be disseminated into the air as a fine spray or powder and could infect large numbers of people.

In aerosol form, the smallpox virus may be infectious for 24 hours before degrading. Heat and sunlight (UV exposure) may destroy the virus within hours.

Terrorists could possibly use smallpox virus samples to intentionally infect a few people, possibly themselves, with the intention of infecting others. However, it is doubtful that any one individual would succeed in infecting more than a few others. By the time that these individuals were contagious, they would be very obviously seriously ill.


SMALLPOX ILLNESS

Exposure:
1)The incubation period is typically seven to 17 days following exposure.
2)Infection usually occurs only when a susceptible person is in face-to-face contact with someone who has the virus and is ill with fever and a rash of round lesions.
3)The virus is usually spread by droplets; however, having it spread by aerosol or contaminated objects (e.g., bedding) is also possible.
4)Smallpox is not known to be transmitted by insects or animals.

Symptoms:
1)Initial symptoms of smallpox may include high fever, fatigue, headache, and backache.
2)Typically, people with smallpox are not contagious until lesions start appearing and they are obviously ill.
3)Two to three days after the onset of symptoms: A rash of round lesions develops on the face, arms, and legs. At the same time, lesions in the mouth are also present and release large amounts of the virus into the saliva.
4)Seven days after the onset of symptoms: The lesions become small blisters and by the seventh day are filled with pus.
5)Twelve days after the onset of symptoms: Lesions begin to crust over. Severe abdominal pain and delirium can occur in the later stages of the disease.
6)Three to four weeks after the onset of symptoms: Scabs develop and fall off. A patient who survives is no longer contagious after the final scab falls off.