In this bonus content, we discuss steps you can take to avoid getting, or to survive smallpox. Should it escape the freezer, this information could be vital.

If you meet the criteria, the best thing you could do in the

event of a smallpox outbreak is get vaccinated

In Boston, the adoption of variolation dropped mortality

from ~15% to 2 %

This would be more significant in vaccination vs variolation

Smallpox vaccinations exclusions

So, what would exclude you from vaccination? https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5204a1.htm

History of eczema

Skin disease that disrupts the outer layer of skin (severe

acne, etc)

Pregnancy

Immunodeficiency

In the event of an intentional outbreak, these standards

might be reduced to protect more people

If you get the vaccination before coming into contact with

the virus, it could keep you from getting ill https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/prevention-treatment/index.html

If you get it within 3 days of exposure, you may not get the

disease or if it develops, it may be less severe

Within 4-7 days the vaccine could still prevent illness, but

is more likely to reduce the severity of the illness

Once you develop the rash, the vaccine will not protect you

If you are not able to get the vaccine, several anti-virals

have been developed

These have been tested in animal models, but obviously not

on humans so there is no guarantee how well they will work

Large amounts of anti-virals, and vaccine are stored in the

CDC’s Strategic National Stockpile and would be delivered to effected areas

rapidly to help with treatment

Medical protection policies also give us good idea of other

things we can due to prevent contracting smallpox https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/bioterrorism-response-planning/healthcare-facility/prevent-spread-disease.html

Smallpox: Preventing person to person spread

Remember smallpox is spread by face-face contact via

droplets created during coughing/sneezing

It can also be transferred by contact with pustules and

scabs

If you have to come into contact with an infected person,

gloves are always recommended

A N95 mask (typical white hospital mask) is especially

important in preventing infection

In a non-hospital setting, filtering out infectious

particles would also be an effective way to reduce the possibility of

infection.

In a hospital setting it is also advisable to use eye

protections

As always, washing your hands frequently with soap and water

or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is recommended

Laundry should be treated as infectious and never do

anything that will spread particles into the air

Laundry should be washed in hot water 160F with detergent

and bleach and then dried on the hottest setting

Smallpox disinfection

Disinfection protocols are based on those recommended for