Smallpox Variola

Close contacts of confirmed cases that have received less than 48 h of antibiotic therapy should wear masks and follow droplet precautions (gowns, gloves, and eye protection) (23). In addition, people should avoid unnecessary close contact until cases receive at least 48h of antibiotic therapy and exhibit some chnical improvement (23). 

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CDC Case Definition An illness with acute onset of fever >101°F followed by a rash characterized by firm, deep seated vesicles or pustules in the same stage of development without other apparent cause. Clinically consistent cases are those presentations of smallpox that do not meet this classical clinical case definition (1) hemorrhagic type, (2) flat type, and (3) variola sine eruptione. Laboratory criteria for diagnosis is (1) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification of variola DNA in a clinical specimen, or (2) isolation of smallpox (variola) virus from a clinical specimen (Level D laboratory only confirmed by variola PCR). 

Guides for Emergency Response Biological Agent or Weapon Smallpox (Variola)... 

Vaccinia An infection, primarily local and limited to the site of inoculation, induced in man by inoculation with the vaccinia (coxpox) virus in order to confer resistance to smallpox (variola). On about the third day after vaccination, papules form at the site of inoculation which become transformed into umbilicated vesicles and later pustules they then dry up, and the scab falls off on about the twenty-first day, leaving a pitted scar in some cases there are more or less marked constitutional disturbances. 

Smallpox (variola). The acute clinical symptoms of smallpox resemble other acute viral illnesses, such as influenza, beginning with a 2-4 day nonspecific prodrome of fever and myalgias before rash onset. Several clinical features can help clinicians differentiate varicella (chickenpox) from smallpox. The rash of varicella is most prominent on the trunk and develops in successive groups of lesions over several days, resulting in lesions in various stages of development and resolution. In comparison, the vesicular/pustular rash of smallpox is typically most prominent on the face and extremities, and lesions develop at the same time. 

Efforts were therefore made towards developing treatment strategies that might generate immunity to infection. An early development was the attempted control of smallpox (variola major) through the deliberate introduction, under the skin of healthy individuals, of material taken from active... 

The virus that causes smallpox. Variola major, is a Category A biological threat agent (CDC 2007). It is a double-stranded DNA orthopoxvirus. It is a widely held opinion among infectious disease professionals that, historically, smallpox has been responsible for more deaths than all other infectious diseases combined. After aggressive efforts by the World Health Organization to immunize the world s population, and because the virus is unable to survive for more than a week outside of its only host, humans. Variola was declared eradicated in 1980 (Murray et al. 2005). The smallpox vaccine can prevent or lessen the severity of the disease if administered within 96 h of exposure. The duration of effectiveness of the vaccine used to eradicate smallpox is not known, and there are reported mild to life-threatening risks are associated with the vaccine. Once a victim is symptomatic, medications and intravenous fluid can be administered to make the patient more comfortable, but there are no antivirals available for unvaccinated infected individuals (Henderson et al. 1999). 

Variola, Vaccinia Smallpox (variola), Cowpx (vaccinia)... 

There are two clinical forms of smallpox. Variola major is the severe and most common form of smallpox, with a more extensive rash and higher fever. There are four types of variola major smallpox ordinary (the most frequent type, accounting for 90% or more of cases) modified (mild and occurring in previously vaccinated persons) flat and hemorrhagic (both rare and very severe). Historically, variola major has an overall fatality rate of about 30% however, flat and hemorrhagic smallpox usually are fatal. Variola minor is a less common presentation of smallpox, and a much less severe disease, with death rates historically of 1 % or le.ss. 

Smallpox variola major) Glanders Burkholderia mallei) ... 

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