Can smallpox strike again?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now running tests on six forgotten vials of smallpox recently discovered in an unsecure... ... can approach 100 percent. The Black Death is treatable with antibiotics such as streptomycin now, but a resistant strain could be a serious public health problem. read more

That being said, although the disease has been eradicated, yes there are some vials of smallpox sitting around in labs just waiting to be weaponized. Most people younger than 50 haven’t been vaccinated. Hopefully, no terrorists will get a hold of this virus. Some military people do get the smallpox vaccine still. Just in case. read more

Smallpox is a disease caused by the Variola virus, and is related to several other poxviruses, including cowpox and monkey pox. The virus can spread from one person to another through the air, in respiratory droplets. It causes flulike symptoms, along with characteristic white blisters all over the body. read more

No. Smallpox is a disease, cancer isn't. Cancer refers to a whole lot of diseases that have one thing in common, an unregulated reproduction of cells. Although different types of cancer can have the same treatment, by no means all kinds of cancer can be treated the same way. read more

While the existence of smallpox may be a source of liability, I think that known location of samples is a great idea. Here’s why: Genomic analysis: Should a strain of disease similar to smallpox ever recur, genomic analysis can only help identify and understand the disease better to be treated more effectively. read more