Smallpox

I had the unique opportunity to serve as an adjunct faculty member, as a lecturer in the public health track, at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry for more than 30 years.

Local health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced that dozens have died and hundreds more are sick due to an unknown illness that causes influenza-like symptoms.

Waning smallpox immunity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has contributed to a significant increase in mpox cases over the last 15 years, but a study suggests there are also other causes for the virus’ rise in prominence.

On Aug. 14, the WHO declared the clade I mpox virus outbreak in Africa to be a public health emergency of international concern.

Throughout the course of human history, one infectious disease (Figure 1) may account for more deaths than any other, perhaps all others combined.

Waning population immunity against smallpox — a result of discontinued vaccination campaigns for the now-eradicated disease — “has established the landscape for the resurgence of monkeypox,” researchers said.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted unanimously, 15-0, on Wednesday to recommend hepatitis B vaccination for all adults aged 19 to 59 years.

Today, the FDA approved Tembexa to treat smallpox.

WHO recently commemorated the 40th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox, which killed

Bavarian Nordic announced that the FDA has approved Jynneos, a live, nonreplicating vaccine for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox disease in adults aged 18 years or older who are at a high risk for smallpox or monkeypox infection.