Biology of Variola Virus

Variola virusVariola virus is an anthroponotic agent that belongs to the orthopoxvirus family. It is an etiological agent of smallpoxSmallpox, an ancient disease that caused massive mortality of human populations. Twentieth century has witnessed the death of about 300 million people due to the unavailability of an effective vaccineVaccines. Early detection is the primary strategy to prevent an outbreak of smallpox. Variola virusVariola virus forms the characteristic pus-filled pustules and centrifugal rash distribution in the infected patients while transmission occurs mainly through respiratory droplets during the early stage of infection. No antiviral drugs are approved for variola virusVariola virus till date. Generation of first-generation vaccinesVaccines helped in the eradication of smallpox which was declared by the World Health Organization.