SMALLPOX INFORMATION
Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease. There is no specific treatment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. The name smallpox is derived from the Latin word for “spotted” and refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of an infected person.
In 1980 Smallpox was declared eradicated except for laboratory stockpiles following worldwide vaccination programs. However, there are concerns that the smallpox virus could be used as a weapon in a bioterrorist attack. Bioterrorism is the intentional or threatened use of viruses, bacteria, fungi or toxins from living organisms to produce death or disease in humans, animals or plants. If a bioterrorism incident that involved smallpox occurred, it would pose a risk to Humboldt County and national security because it can be easily disseminated and transmitted from person to person, results in high death rates and has the potential for major public health impact and requires special action for public health preparedness.
Strategies are under development to protect the American public should this disease be brought back as a bioterrorism weapon. It is critical for smallpox preparedness planning, within the context of broader terrorism and emergency response planning, to take place at the federal, state, and local levels. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, has developed a “Smallpox Response Plan and Guidelines” document to provide direction to state and local health officials for responding to a smallpox emergency. This plan identifies many of the federal, state, and local public health activities that need to be undertaken in a smallpox emergency.
Using this document as a guide, Humboldt County Public Health Branch, Department of Health and Human Services, has developed a “Smallpox Preparedness, Response and Recovery Plan”, a plan that is specific to the needs of the population of Humboldt County. This plan includes response strategies for control and containment, including ring vaccination, mass vaccination, management of confirmed or suspected smallpox cases, and management of contacts including isolation and quarantine.
Chickenpox (varicella), which infects millions of children each year in the United States, is the disease most frequently confused with smallpox (variola). There are key differences between the two diseases. Click here for access to the table entitled
Distinguishing Smallpox From Chickenpox.
On January 14, 2003, Humboldt County Health Officer, Ann Lindsay M.D., issued an alert to all physicians in Humboldt County regarding the status of the vaccination program for Humboldt County and smallpox issues to be aware of. Click here for access to this
Physician Alert – January 14, 2003.
Information about smallpox is updated and kept current by the CDC on their website. Specific sites can be accessed by using the links below.
