Smallpox was a devastating disease that plagued humankind throughout history. Its eradication in 1980 was a monumental achievement for the global health community. All acknowledged stocks of variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, or materials that might contain the virus, have been transferred to two World Health Organization approved repositories. During the period since eradication, the World Health Assembly (WHA) has debated whether to retain or destroy these stocks of live variola virus. This question will be reconsidered in 2010.
In anticipation of this decision, the IOM was asked to revisit the question of scientific needs for live variola virus. The Committee on Assessment of Future Scientific Needs for Live Variola Virus was not asked to consider whether existing variola virus stocks should be maintained or destroyed. Instead, the committee reviewed research that has been accomplished since 1999 and focused on uses of the live variola virus that would be essential or useful but not as critical. Overall, the committee concludes that the development of medical countermeasures against this deadly pathogen—including therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostic tools—remains an important and essential need because of the potential for an accidental or deliberate release.
