12/09/2025 Public Health Education Topic: Smallpox
- Health Department
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Per CDC
Key points
Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by the variola virus.
Smallpox has been eradicated, with no cases occurring since 1977.
The disease caused rashes and could spread through coughing and sneezing.
Smallpox no longer occurs naturally, but it is possible that variola virus could be used in a biological attack. Although unlikely, public health authorities prepare for the possibility of smallpox being used as a weapon.
Overview
Before smallpox was eradicated, it was a serious infectious disease caused by the variola virus. It was contagious meaning, it spread from one person to another. People who had smallpox had a fever and a distinctive, progressive skin rash.
Most people with smallpox recovered, but about 3 out of every 10 people with the disease died. Many smallpox survivors have permanent scars over large areas of their body, especially their faces. Some are left blind.
Thanks to the success of vaccination, smallpox was eradicated, and no cases of naturally occurring smallpox have happened since 1977. The last natural outbreak of smallpox in the United States occurred in 1949. The World Health Assembly declared smallpox eradicated in 1980.
Prevention
There are vaccines to protect people from smallpox. Currently, smallpox vaccines are not recommended for the general public because smallpox has been eradicated. If there were a smallpox outbreak, health officials would use smallpox vaccines to control it.
To learn more visit: About Smallpox | Smallpox | CDC
