Smallpox Q & A

• What should I know about smallpox?
• Are we expecting a smallpox attack?
• Is there an immediate smallpox threat?
• If I am concerned about a smallpox attack, can I go to my doctor and request the smallpox vaccine?
• Are there plans to manufacture more vaccine in case of a bioterrorism attack using smallpox?
• If someone comes in contact with smallpox, how long does it take to show symptoms?
• Is smallpox fatal?
• How is smallpox spread?
• If someone is exposed to smallpox, is it too late to get a vaccination?
• If people got the vaccination in the past when it was used routinely, will they be immune?
• How many people have not had the vaccination?
• Is it possible for people to get smallpox from the vaccination?
• How safe is the smallpox vaccine, and are there any individuals who should NOT receive the vaccine?
• Is there any treatment for smallpox?
• Is there a test to indicate if smallpox is in the environment like there is for anthrax?
• If smallpox is discovered or released in a building, or if a person develops symptoms in a building, how can that area be decontaminated?
• What should people do if they suspect a patient has smallpox or suspect that smallpox has been released in their area?
• How can we stop the spread of smallpox after someone comes down with it?

What should I know about Smallpox?

Vaccination is not recommended, and the vaccine is not available to health providers or the public. In the absence of a confirmed case of smallpox anywhere in the world, there is no need to be vaccinated against smallpox. There also can be severe side effects to the smallpox vaccine, which is another reason we do not recommend vaccination. In the event of an outbreak, the CDC has clear guidelines to swiftly provide vaccine to people exposed to this disease. The vaccine is securely stored for use in the case of an outbreak. In addition, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson recently announced plans to accelerate production of a new smallpox vaccine.

Are we expecting a smallpox attack?

We are not expecting a smallpox attack, but the recent events that include the use of biological agents as weapons have heightened our awareness of the possibility of such an attack.

Is there an immediate smallpox threat?

At this time we have no information that suggests an imminent smallpox threat.

If I am concerned about a smallpox attack, can I go to my doctor and request the smallpox vaccine?

The last naturally acquired case of smallpox occurred in 1977. The last cases of smallpox, from laboratory exposure, occurred in 1978. In the United States, routine vaccination against smallpox ended in 1972. Since the vaccine is no longer recommended, the vaccine is not available. The CDC maintains an emergency supply of vaccine that can be released if necessary, since post-exposure vaccination is effective.

Are there plans to manufacture more vaccine in case of a bioterrorism attack using smallpox?

Yes. In 2000, CDC awarded a contract to a vaccine manufacturer to produce additional doses of smallpox vaccine.

If someone comes in contact with smallpox, how long does it take to show symptoms?

The incubation period is about 12 days (range: 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. The rash starts with flat red lesions that evolve at the same rate. Lesions become pus-filled after a few days and then begin to crust early in the second week. Scabs develop and then separate and fall off after about 3-4 weeks.

Is smallpox fatal?

The majority of patients with smallpox recover, but death may occur in up to 30% of cases.

How is smallpox spread?

In the majority of cases, smallpox is spread from one person to another by infected saliva droplets that expose a susceptible person having face-to-face contact with the ill person. People with smallpox are most infectious during the first week of illness, because that is when the largest amount of virus is present in saliva. However, some risk of transmission lasts until all scabs have fallen off.

Contaminated clothing or bed linen could also spread the virus. Special precautions need to be taken to ensure that all bedding and clothing of patients are cleaned appropriately with bleach and hot water. Disinfectants such as bleach and quaternary ammonia can be used for cleaning contaminated surfaces.

If someone is exposed to smallpox, is it too late to get a vaccination?

If the vaccine is given within 4 days after exposure to smallpox, it can lessen the severity of illness or even prevent it.

If people got the vaccination in the past when it was used routinely, will they be immune?

Not necessarily. Routine vaccination against smallpox ended in 1972. The level of immunity, if any, among persons who were vaccinated before 1972 is uncertain; therefore, these persons are assumed to be susceptible. For those who were vaccinated, it is not known how long immunity lasts. Most estimates suggest immunity from the vaccination lasts 3 to 5 years. This means that nearly the entire U.S. population has partial immunity at best. Immunity can be boosted effectively with a single revaccination. Prior infection with the disease grants lifelong immunity.

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How many people have not had the vaccination?

Approximately half of the U.S. population has never been vaccinated.

Is it possible for people to get smallpox from the vaccination?

No, smallpox vaccine does not contain smallpox virus but another live virus called vaccinia virus. Since this virus is related to smallpox virus, vaccination with vaccina provides immunity against infection from smallpox virus.

How safe is the smallpox vaccine?

Smallpox vaccine is considered very safe. Some people are at greater risk for serious side effects from the smallpox vaccine. Adverse reactions have been known to occur that range from mild rashes to rare fatal encephalitis and disseminated vaccina. 

Individuals who have any of the following conditions, or live with someone who does, should NOT get the smallpox vaccine unless they have been exposed to the smallpox virus:

• Eczema or atopic dermatitis. (This is true even if the condition is not currently active, mild or experienced as a child.)



• Skin conditions such as burns, chickenpox, shingles, impetigo, herpes, severe acne, or psoriasis. (People with any of these conditions should not get the vaccine until they have completely healed.)



• Weakened immune system. (Cancer treatment, an organ transplant, HIV, or medications to treat autoimmune disorders and other illnesses can weaken the immune system.)



• Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant within one month of vaccination.

In addition, individuals should not get the smallpox vaccine if they:

• Are allergic to the vaccine or any of its ingredients.



• Are younger than 12 months of age. However, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) advises against non-emergency use of smallpox vaccine in children younger than 18 years of age.



• Have a moderate or severe short-term illness. (These people should wait until they are completely recovered to get the vaccine.)



• Are currently breastfeeding.

Again, people who have been directly exposed to the smallpox virus should get the vaccine, regardless of their health status.

Don't Hesitate! If offered the smallpox vaccine, individuals should tell their immunization provider if they have any of the above conditions, or even if they suspect they might.

Is there any treatment for smallpox?

There is no proven treatment for smallpox, but research to evaluate new antiviral agents is ongoing. Patients with smallpox can benefit from supportive therapy (e.g., intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain) and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may occur.

Is there a test to indicate if smallpox is in the environment like there is for anthrax?

Various agencies are currently validating tests designed to test for the smallpox virus in the environment.

If smallpox is discovered or released in a building, or if a person develops symptoms in a building, how can that area be decontaminated?

The smallpox virus is fragile and in the event of an aerosol release of smallpox, all viruses will be inactivated or dissipated within 1-2 days. Buildings exposed to the initial aerosol release of the virus do not need to be decontaminated. By the time the first cases are identified, typically 2 weeks after the release, the virus in the building will be gone. Infected patients, however, will be capable of spreading the virus and possibly contaminating surfaces while they are sick. Therefore, standard hospital grade disinfectants such as quaternary ammonias are effective in killing the virus on surfaces should be used for disinfecting hospitalized patients' rooms or other contaminated surfaces. Although less desirable because it can damage equipment and furniture, hypochlorite (bleach) is an acceptable alternative. In the hospital setting, patients' linens should be autoclaved or washed in hot water with bleach added. Infectious waste should be placed in biohazard bags and autoclaved before incineration.

What should people do if they suspect a patient has smallpox or suspect that smallpox has been released in their area?

Report suspected cases of smallpox or suspected intentional release of smallpox to your local health department. The local health department is responsible for notifying the state health department, the FBI, and local law enforcement. The state health department will notify the CDC.

How can we stop the spread of smallpox after someone comes down with it?

Symptomatic patients with suspected or confirmed smallpox are capable of spreading the virus. Patients should be placed in medical isolation so that they will not continue to spread the virus. In addition, people who have come into close contact with smallpox patients should be vaccinated immediately and closely watched for symptoms of smallpox. Vaccine and isolation are the strategies for stopping the spread of smallpox.

The above information has been provided with the kind permission of the Centers for Disease Control
(www.bt.cdc.gov/)