Overview
Smallpox, also known as variola, was one of the most deadly infectious diseases in human history. It was caused by the variola virus and spread easily from person to person through the air or direct contact. The disease caused a distinctive rash that turned into deep, pus-filled blisters covering the entire body, including the face, hands, and feet. These blisters left permanent scars in survivors. Smallpox also caused high fever, severe body aches, and in many cases, death. The fatality rate was around 30% in unvaccinated people, and even higher in infants and the elderly. The good news is that smallpox is the only human disease to have been completely eradicated worldwide. Thanks to a global vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO), the last known natural case occurred in 1977, and the WHO officially declared smallpox eradicated in 1980. Routine smallpox vaccination stopped shortly after. Today, the variola virus exists only in two secure laboratory facilities — one in the United States and one in Russia. Because smallpox no longer exists in nature, it is classified as an obsolete disease. There is no risk of catching smallpox today under normal circumstances. However, it remains of interest in public health planning due to concerns about bioterrorism. Antiviral medications such as tecovirimat (TPOXX) have been approved for use in the event of an outbreak.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
High fever (often above 101°F / 38.3°C)Severe headache and backacheExtreme tiredness and weaknessA rash that starts as flat red spots and progresses to raised bumpsBumps that fill with clear fluid, then pusBlisters that are deep, firm, and feel like ball bearings under the skinRash appearing on the face, arms, and legs at the same timeBlisters in the mouth, throat, and eyesNausea and vomitingPermanent scarring after blisters heal
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Small pox.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Small pox.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to OBSOLETE: Small pox.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Since smallpox is eradicated, why might my doctor or a public health official be concerned about it today?,What does the smallpox vaccine protect against, and should I or my family be vaccinated?,What is tecovirimat (TPOXX) and how would it be used if there were ever an outbreak?,How would doctors today recognize smallpox and distinguish it from chickenpox or monkeypox?,What should I do if I think I or someone I know has been exposed to smallpox?,Are there any long-term health effects from the older smallpox vaccines that were given before 1980?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Small pox
What is OBSOLETE: Small pox?
Smallpox, also known as variola, was one of the most deadly infectious diseases in human history. It was caused by the variola virus and spread easily from person to person through the air or direct contact. The disease caused a distinctive rash that turned into deep, pus-filled blisters covering the entire body, including the face, hands, and feet. These blisters left permanent scars in survivors. Smallpox also caused high fever, severe body aches, and in many cases, death. The fatality rate was around 30% in unvaccinated people, and even higher in infants and the elderly. The good news is t