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The more common, infectious form of the disease was caused by the variola major virus strain, known for its significantly higher mortality rate compared to its counterpart, variola minor. Variola major had a fatality rate of around 30%, while variola minor’s mortality rate was about 1%.
11 paź 2024 · Smallpox is caused by infection with variola major, a virus of the family Poxviridae. A less-virulent form of smallpox, called alastrim, is caused by a closely related virus known as variola minor. There are no natural animal carriers nor natural propagation of variola outside the human body.
Ordinary Smallpox (Variola Major) Ordinary smallpox was the most common form, accounting for over 85% of all cases during the smallpox era. See Ordinary Smallpox image below. Incubation Period. Infection with variola virus begins with an incubation period usually lasting between 10 to 14 days (range 7 to 19 days).
There are at least 2 strains of smallpox virus: Variola major (classic smallpox), the more virulent strain. Variola minor (alastrim), the less virulent strain. Smallpox is transmitted from person to person by inhalation of respiratory droplets or, less efficiently, by direct contact.
Variola major was the most common form–and most lethal. Variola minor produced a milder disease, which was fatal in less than one percent of cases. Two other, rarer forms also existed:...
Smallpox is a highly contagious, very deadly disease caused by the variola virus. The disease is now considered eliminated. There have been no cases of smallpox since 1977. People can acquire the infection by breathing air exhaled or coughed out by an infected person.
Smallpox is an infectious disease that is caused by the variola virus. It spreads from one person to another, either directly or indirectly. The variola virus infects only humans — other animals are unable to catch smallpox.
