Last stocks of smallpox viruses persist

Last stocks of smallpox viruses are preserved

05/26/2014

The last stocks of smallpox viruses stored in laboratories in the US and Russia will not be destroyed for the time being. This was decided by the World Health Organization (WHO) at its annual conference in Geneva. Now an expert group is to be formed.

No agreement was reached
The last two known populations of smallpox viruses will not be destroyed for the time being. A spokesman said that no agreement had been reached at the World Health Organization (WHO) annual conference in Geneva. Now, an expert group is to be formed, before being advised again at a forthcoming annual meetings on the destruction of deadly viruses. For years the topic is controversial. Most recently, the decision as to whether even more research on the live virus is needed to protect us was adjourned in 2011.

Obtained smallpox virus for research purposes
Should the last smallpox viruses be destroyed? This question has occupied experts for years. Scientists do not rule out that the smallpox could eventually break out again, although it is 37 years ago that a man was naturally infected with the infectious disease. In their opinion, therefore, the remaining pathogens should be retained for research purposes and serve the further development of vaccines. However, some states also fear that smallpox viruses may occur outside the two well-known laboratories in the US and Russia, or may be released by terrorists, for example.

Smallpox has been considered eradicated since 1979
Officially, smallpox has been considered eradicated since 1979. According to the WHO, the last natural infection was registered in 1977 in Somalia. The following year, a human being was killed by smallpox viruses in a laboratory accident in Birmingham, England. In Germany, the last case occurred in 1972 in Hanover. The disease existed for more than 3,000 years and claimed millions of lives. In the 20th century alone, 300 to 500 million people are said to have fallen victim to smallpox. Finally, the infectious disease has been eradicated by worldwide vaccination programs. This is considered one of the greatest achievements of the public health system in human history. (Sb)