Smallpox Smallpox, which is also called variola, comes in two forms. Variola major is the more deadly form of smallpox killing 30% of victims. Variola minor kills only 1% of victims but leaves the victims very sick. Smallpox is primarily a disease of children or young adults, but older people can also contract it. Smallpox is highly contagious from one person to another. The virus is spread through the air through droplets of bodily fluid discharged by …showed first 75 words of 517 total…

…showed last 75 words of 517 total…virus was not destroyed, but kept in the case that there was another outbreak. Today the world is worried that terrorists will get their hands on the smallpox virus and spread it worldwide as an aerosol. The US is preparing for this scenario by stockpiling vaccines to administer to the American people if the virus is turned loose. Other then that, there is not much the US can do but wait and see what happens.