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Facts
About Smallpox
Click here for Smallpox Vaccine FAQ's
Despite the fact that this disease was eradicated throughout the world over 20 years ago, the threat of an outbreak can cause a strong reaction from individuals who are afraid that they or a loved one may be at risk.
The Randolph County Health Department and the Association of State and
Territorial Health Officials and ASTHO's Affiliated Organizations believe
that it is important for the media and the public to know the following
facts:
Smallpox does not occur in nature.
People cannot get smallpox by traveling to a foreign country, nor can
they get it from people visiting this country. The only known stocks of
the virus exist in high-security labs in Atlanta and Russia.
Other than through a criminal act, the risk of exposure to smallpox
is zero.
While the chance of a criminal act occurring is very low, federal, state,
and local governments are seriously working to ensure that if such an
act occurs the United States is prepared to deal with it quickly and effectively.
The government is focusing on three critical issues concerning smallpox:
1) $1.1 billion was recently made available to states to enhance their
bioterror preparedness planning. 2) The manufacture and purchase of additional
stocks of vaccine is occurring. 3) The nation's top scientists are currently
developing recommendations for vaccine distribution. Their recommendations
are expected to be made to the federal government early this summer.
In the unlikely event of criminal exposure, vaccine would be made
available to anyone who was exposed to the disease.
Vaccine given within 4 days of exposure can prevent the disease or lessen
symptoms.
Vaccine
- The United States is continuing to expand its stockpile of smallpox vaccine and will be prepared to deploy it if necessary.
- Vaccine given within 4 days of exposure can prevent the disease or lessen symptoms. Vaccine against smallpox contains another live virus called vaccinia. The vaccine does not contain smallpox virus.
- The nation's top scientists are working on recommendations
concerning vaccination. The critical concern is balancing the risks
of the vaccine against the near zero possibility of smallpox exposure.
About the Disease
- Smallpox is spread from one person to another by infected saliva droplets that expose a susceptible person who has face-to-face contact with the ill person. Persons with smallpox are most infectious after the onset of rash.
- Vaccine given within 4 days of exposure can prevent the disease or lessen symptoms. The vaccine does not contain smallpox virus.
- The incubation range for smallpox is 7 to 17 days
following exposure. Initial symptoms include high fever, fatigue, and
head and back aches. A characteristic rash, most prominent on the face,
arms, and legs, follows in 2-3 days. 70% of patients with smallpox recover.
Further, to help the media provide accurate information to the public through articles, interviews, or other venues, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and ASTHO Affiliated Organizations are making the following experts available to answer questions about smallpox and related public health issues.
PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS:
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Ed Thompson, MD, MPH
State Health Officer, Mississippi State Department of Health
601-576-7634
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
Patricia Quinlisk, MD
State Epidemiologist, Iowa Department of Public Health
515-281-4941
National Association of State Emergency Medical Service Directors
Dia Gainor
Chief, Idaho Emergency Medical Services
208-867-4445
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Mary Gilchrist, PhD, D(ABMM)
Director of the University of Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa.
319-335-4500
Association of State and Territorial Directors of Nursing
Joy Reed, EdD, RN
Director, Office of Public Health Nursing, North Carolina Division of
Public Health
(919) 715-4385
ORGANIZATION CONTACTS:
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Contact: Paula Steib psteib@astho.org,
202-371-9090, ext. 1638
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Contact: Blair Farr bfarr@aphl.org,
202-822-5227 or Jill Merrick merrickcom@aol.com
, 202-537-9731
Association of State and Territorial Directors of Nursing
Contact: 919-715-4385, Joy.Reed@ncmail.net
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
Contact: CSTE National Office at 770-458-3811
National Association of State EMS Directors
Contact: info@nasemsd.org, 703-538-1799
For information on county and city health departments contact Iris Skinner at the National Association of County and City Health Officials: 202-783-5550 Ext., 201
FACT SEETS
Available on ASTHO's web site at www.astho.org/about/media.html.
Also on the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/nip/smallpox/.
If you have any questions or need additional information please contact us. We'll be glad to help.