Summary
Before its eradication, smallpox was responsible for millions of deaths throughout history. The disease is unique to humans, caused by one of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. After 12 to 15 days, lesions appear in the mouth, and then spread to the skin a day or two later. At this point, the disease can take several different courses. Historically, the overall fatality rate is 30%. This revised edition of Smallpox, Second Edition discusses the history and epidemiology of the disease, plus the amazing story of its eradication. Although the disease has not been seen in its natural form in more than 40 years, the future of smallpox, and its potential use as a biological weapon, are of great concern.
Chapters and topics include:
- History of Smallpox
- Elimination of Smallpox
- Smallpox in the Americas
- The Smallpox Virus
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Vaccine Development
- The Bioweapons Threat
- New Concerns and Future Prospects.
About the Author(s)
Dr. Brian Shmaefsky is a professor of environmental science at Lone Star College-Kingwood, near Houston, Texas. He completed his undergraduate studies in biology at Brooklyn College in New York and completed his graduate studies at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and at the University of Illinois. His research emphasis is in environmental physiology. Dr. Shmaefsky has many publications on science education, some appearing in American Biology Teacher and the Journal of College Science Teaching. He also has written books and technical articles on biotechnology, phytoremediation, and human diseases. Dr. Shmaefsky is also the author of an anatomy and physiology textbook. He is very active serving on local and international environmental awareness, environmental justice, and natural resource policy committees.
Dr. Kim R. Finer received her BA in microbiology at Miami University, and her PhD in veterinary microbiology at Texas A&M University. She is currently a professor in the department of biology at Kent State University where she teaches courses in microbiology, human genetics, and ecology. She has written textbooks on the use of Internet resources in the classroom, and has published numerous papers in the areas of biology education.