According to WHO smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. Smallpox is localized
in small blood vessels of the skin and in the mouth and throat. In the skin it
resulted in a characteristic maculopapular rash and, later, raised fluid-filled
blisters. V. major produces a
more serious disease and has an overall mortality rate of 30–35%. V. minor causes a milder form of
disease (also known as alastrim, cottonpox,
milkpox, whitepox, and Cuban itch)
which kills about 1% of its victims. Long-term complications of V. major infection include
characteristic scars, commonly on the face, which occur in 65–85% of survivors.
Blindness resulting from corneal ulceration and scarring, and limb deformities
due to arthritis and osteomyelitis are less common complications, seen in about
2–5% of cases.
in small blood vessels of the skin and in the mouth and throat. In the skin it
resulted in a characteristic maculopapular rash and, later, raised fluid-filled
blisters. V. major produces a
more serious disease and has an overall mortality rate of 30–35%. V. minor causes a milder form of
disease (also known as alastrim, cottonpox,
milkpox, whitepox, and Cuban itch)
which kills about 1% of its victims. Long-term complications of V. major infection include
characteristic scars, commonly on the face, which occur in 65–85% of survivors.
Blindness resulting from corneal ulceration and scarring, and limb deformities
due to arthritis and osteomyelitis are less common complications, seen in about
2–5% of cases.
