With the last known case of naturally transmitted smallpox occurring over 30 years ago, it is safe to say that the majority of us have never considered the possibility of contracting the disease. The disease is spread through direct contact with one who has it or through the use of contaminated objects. This aspect of the disease allowed it to be used as a weapon during war. However, since a vaccine was created the disease had become an obsolete weapon.
With the eradication of smallpox, vaccinations against the disease were stopped. Could this have been a mistake? Many labs throughout the world still possess the virus. At one point, after the eradication, the Soviets were producing large amounts of the virus. Who knows how much there is of the virus out there? If the virus were to be released on a large population, the results would be devastating.
As we continue to go forward with the possibility of a bio terrorist attack of smallpox, we must develop a public health policy that coincides with our homeland security. This policy should not only try to prevent an outbreak, but should also be capable of containing one if an attack were to occur.
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The fact that the Soviet Union was making large quantities of this virus and that when the Soviet Union fell it was utter chaos the smallpox virus that was produced could still be out there and probably not in Russian control. I think that because it could be so devistating if smallpox got into the general population that there should be at least one company out there that either has the vaccine on hand and ready to use or able to produce massive amount of the vaccine in a reatively short period. I completely agree that the public health policy should coincide with our homeland security policy.
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