Variola Major Virus, commonly known as smallpox virus, is a highly contagious and deadly member of the Orthopoxvirus genus. It is responsible for causing smallpox, a severe and often fatal infectious disease that plagued humanity for centuries before its eradication in 1980.
The virus is characterized by its brick-shaped structure and possesses a large, double-stranded DNA genome. It primarily infects humans and is transmitted through respiratory droplets or direct contact with contaminated surfaces. The incubation period of the virus is typically 7 to 17 days before symptoms emerge.
Smallpox caused by the Variola Major Virus presents with flu-like symptoms, including high fever, body aches, and fatigue. Within a few days, characteristic skin lesions develop, progressing from macules to papules, then vesicles, and finally crusts. These lesions appear on the face, hands, and spread to the rest of the body, resulting in disfiguring scars.
Historically, smallpox was responsible for devastating outbreaks and epidemics, leading to high mortality rates and long-lasting health consequences among survivors. However, due to successful global vaccination campaigns, the Variola Major Virus was eradicated, making smallpox the first disease to be eliminated by human intervention.
Today, only laboratory stocks of the Variola Major Virus remain, stored in highly secure facilities to prevent accidental releases or deliberate misuse. The potential threat of bioterrorism using this virus necessitates ongoing surveillance and research to develop antiviral drugs and improve vaccine efficacy against Variola Major Virus.
