LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Smallpox: Laboratories
built 231 days ago
Smallpox is caused by the variola virus that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. Except for laboratory stockpiles, the variola virus has been eliminated. However, in the aftermath of the events of September and October, 2001, there is heightened concern that the variola virus might be used as an agent of bioterrorism. For this reason, the U.S. government is taking precautions for dealing with a smallpox outbreak.
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Smallpox had been used as a biological weapon (an infectious agent or toxic chemical that is intended to cause mass destruction) as early as the French and Indian Wars in the 1700s. Deliberate reintroduction of smallpox as a biological weapon is still a threat, especially since declining financial support for Russian laboratories has increased the risk of the existing expertise and equipment falling into the wrong hands.
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Smallpox could be released in aerosol form... the virus is fragile. In laboratory experiments, 90% of aerosolized smallpox virus dies within 24 hours. If an aerosol release of smallpox occurs, 90% of virus matter will be inactivated or dissipated in about 24 hours.
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