Smallpox

Lore & Background

Smallpox historically occurred in outbreaks and was one of several diseases introduced by the Columbian exchange to the New World, resulting in large swathes of Native Americans dying. Earlier deaths included multiple European monarchs, such as Louis XV of France, Queen Mary II of England, Emperor Joseph I of Austria, King Louis I of Spain, Tsar Peter II of Russia, and Queen Ulrika Elenora of Sweden.

Reader's Guide

Smallpox was caused by the Variola virus and transmitted primarily through prolonged face-to-face contact or rarely via contaminated objects. Inoculation for smallpox appears to have started in China around the 1500s, and Europe adopted this practice from Asia in the first half of the 18th century. Smallpox is one of two infectious diseases to have been eradicated, the other being rinderpest in 2011. The term 'smallpox' was first used in England in the 16th century to distinguish it from syphilis, then known as the 'great pox'. The United States and Russia retain samples of variola virus in laboratories, which has sparked debates over safety. The disease had several forms: ordinary (at least 90% of cases among unvaccinated persons), confluent (62% case-fatality rate), modified (mostly in vaccinated people, rarely fatal), malignant (nearly always fatal, 5–10% of cases), and hemorrhagic (approximately 2% of infections, typically fatal).

Did You Know?

• The term 'smallpox' was first used in England in the 16th century to distinguish it from syphilis, then called the 'great pox'.