Smallpox

SMALLPOX

www.cdc.gov

In this blog post, I will be explaining the gist about smallpox. Smallpox, even though has been eradicated, still impose a great threat to mankind through bioterrorism. In post 1, ill be explaining its molecular features while in post 2, we will be covering general knowledge about smallpox regarding how it spreads and syptoms and exposure

Poxrividae as it is known is the only virus that has been completely wiped out throughout the world. It is also potentially one of the most devastating biological weapons ever conceived.
Of all human diseases, smallpox is believed to have resulted in more human deaths than from any single pathogen. Its causative agent, the Variola virus was eradicated in 1977 through a global vaccination effort conceived by the WHO.

MOLECULAR FEATURES

The Variola virus is a complex, enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus (figure 1) and it is divided into two distinct species: V. Major and V. Minor where V.Major was responsible for the vast majority of human deaths in which it claimed more than 30% of those infected.

http://www.scq.ubc.ca/smallpox-then-and-now/

It is a large brick shaped virus which consists of a single linear double stranded DNA. Its genome consists of 186kp and contains a hairpin loop at each end. In addition, it contains 186,102 base pairs.
Variola viruses are DNA viruses. However, they replicate in the cytoplasm instead of the nucleus like other DNA viruses. Its virions consist of an envelope, a surface membrane, a core and lateral bodies. During their life cycles, variola produces extracellular and intracellular particles.

www.shartak.com

www.idph.state.il.us

NEWS:
Vaccinia virus Linked to Heart Problems.

A second health care worker has died of a heart attack after receiving a smallpox vaccination, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported yesterday.
The woman, 57, had a heart attack on March 16, 18 days after being vaccinated, and died on Wednesday.
She was among seven health workers to suffer heart problems 4 to 18 days after receiving the vaccine voluntarily, as part of the United States' effort to prepare medical teams to cope with bioterror attacks. Three volunteers had heart attacks, including another woman who died; two had chest pain; and two had heart inflammation.
In addition, 10 military recruits had heart inflammation after being vaccinated for the first time; all recovered, said Col. John D. Grabenstein, the Army's deputy director for vaccines. He added that the problem appeared extremely rare, since only 10 cases were known in more than 350,000 recruits who were given the vaccine. So far, Colonel Grabenstein said, there is no feature to link the cases or help doctors predict who might be vulnerable to the condition.


Through this article, we can see that the smallpox vaccination is a double-edged sword. Yes, it treats lives but kills life as well. We should take note that even though the vaccination protects us, the consequences brought forward which in this case, a heart attack may prove fatal in the near future.