smallpox outbreaks
Historic viral plagues
Smallpox outbreaks are episodes of widespread smallpox infection in a population.
Smallpox, caused by the variola virus, was among humanity's deadliest diseases until eradication in 1980.
Historical outbreaks decimated populations lacking immunity, including indigenous peoples after European contact.
The term now appears mainly in historical contexts or discussions of bioterrorism preparedness: Scientists study past smallpox outbreaks to prepare for potential future threats.
- feverElevated body temperature
- transmissionSending of information
- vaccination programsOrganized public inoculation efforts
- incubation periodTime before symptoms emerge
- scarPermanent mark from healing
contagion · contact tracing · pustule · case fatality rate · mass graves · mother · international cooperation · surveillance systems · fear · public health emergency · global health · rash · blister · vaccine development · antiviral drugs · isolation protocols · quarantine laws · hospital wards
- medical historyHippocrates, germ theory, bloodletting, Galen, four humors
smallpox outbreakssmallpox eradication
Complete global destruction of variola
zero cases · global eradication · epidemic control · herd immunity
small, smaller, smallest, smallness, outbreak, break, breaks, breaking