Variola Virus

Variola virus is the causative agent of smallpox, a highly contagious and deadly disease that historically affected humans. It spreads through respiratory droplets and leads to symptoms like fever and a distinctive pus-filled rash. Smallpox has a significant death rate, but it was eradicated in 1980 through a global vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organization. Despite its eradication, small samples of the virus are kept in secure labs for research purposes, and there are ongoing discussions about potential bioterrorism risks related to it. Overall, smallpox remains a critical historical example of successful public health intervention.