Bioterrorism

Thanks to a successful worldwide vaccination effort in the 20^th century, smallpox has been wiped out. No one has gotten smallpox naturally since 1977. However, it is possible that variola virus (the virus that causes smallpox) could be used in a biological attack (an intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock, or crops). Public health authorities prepare for a possible but unlikely biological attack that uses smallpox as a weapon.