[Biohazards due to Orthopoxvirus: should we re-vaccinate against smallpox?]

Abstract

Although the WHO declared global smallpox eradication in 1980, the Orthopoxvirus remains a source of concern for several reasons. Firstly, stocks of the smallpox virus have been preserved for experimental use (at least officially in the USA and Russia) so that an escaped isolate could lead to reemergence and spread of the disease worldwide. Secondly discontinuation of smallpox vaccination programs has led to dwindling acquired immunity in the world population thus raising the risk of epidemic extension of several Orthopoxvirus zoonoses (e.g., monkeypox). Thirdly stocks of camelpox virus which is very similar to Smallpox virus and was intended for biological warfare were discovered during the Gulf War in 1991 and pose a potentially serious threat. Finally official stocks of Smallpox virus could be stolen and used by bioterrorists. Thus reemergence of Orthopoxvirus including smallpox, monkeypox, cowpox, and camelpox is a real danger and contingency planning is needed to define prophylactic and therapeutic strategies to prevent and/or stop an epidemics. Adverse effects from earlier smallpox vaccine (vaccinia) in healthy people or immunocompromised people (congenital or acquired as in HIV infected patients) are absolute contraindications to smallpox vaccination at this time. Further research is needed to develop new vaccines (e.g., attenuated isolates of vaccinia) and effective treatment. This is the only valid reasons for postponing planned destruction of remaining Smallpox virus stocks.