Smallpox - Definition



Smallpox is an infection caused by the virus called variola (pronounced vuh-RY-uh-luh). Throughout history, smallpox has been a greatly feared disease. It has been responsible for huge epidemics worldwide. The disease has caused great suffering and many deaths. Smallpox is now thought to have been eliminated from the Earth. In 1980 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the disease had been wiped out by a bold program of vaccination.

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