Smallpox is a highly contagious infection and is spread from person to person very quickly. This infection has been eradicated, thanks to an effective vaccine, since the 80s.

Smallpox is an infection caused by a virus: the variola virus. It is a highly contagious disease whose transmission from one patient to another is very rapid.

This infection causes, in most cases, fever or skin rashes.

In 3 out of 10 cases, smallpox results in the death of the patient. For patients who survive this infection, the long-term consequences are akin to persistent skin scars. These scars are particularly visible on the face and can also impact the vision of the individual.

Thanks to the development of an effective vaccine, Smallpox has been an infectious disease eradicated since the 80s. Nevertheless, research continues in order to find new solutions in terms of curative vaccines, drug treatments or even diagnostic methods.

The last occurrence of a natural smallpox infection was in 1977. The virus was eradicated. Currently, no natural infection has been identified in the world.

Although this virus has therefore been eradicated, certain strains of variola virus are kept in the laboratory, allowing research to be improved.

Smallpox is caused by a virus: the variola virus.

This virus, present throughout the world, has however been eradicated since the 80s.

Smallpox virus infection is highly contagious and spreads very quickly from person to person. Infection occurs through the transmission of droplets and particles from an infected person to a healthy individual. In this sense, transmission takes place mainly through sneezing, coughing or even handling.

Anyone can be affected by the development of variola virus infection. But eradicating the virus then entails almost no risk of developing such an infection.

Preventive vaccination is however widely recommended in order to avoid the risk as much as possible.

Smallpox is an infection that can be fatal. With a proportion of deaths estimated at 3 out of 10.

In the context of survival, the patient may nevertheless present long-term skin scars, particularly on the face and which may possibly interfere with vision.

Symptoms associated with smallpox usually appear 12 to 14 days after infection with the virus.

The most commonly associated clinical signs are:

• a feverish state
• of the headaches (headache)
• dizziness and faintness
• back pain
• a state of intense fatigue
• abdominal pain, stomach pain or even vomiting.

As a result of these first symptoms, skin rashes appear. These mainly on the face, then on the hands, arms and possibly the trunk.

The major risk factor for smallpox is then contact with the variola virus, while not being vaccinated. Contagion being very important, contact with an infected person is also a significant risk.

Since the variola virus has been eradicated since the 80s, vaccination is the best way to prevent this disease.

No treatment for smallpox currently exists. Only the preventive vaccine is effective and highly recommended in order to limit the risk of infection by the variola virus. Research is continuing in the context of the discovery of a new treatment, in the event of a new infection.