Smallpox is an ancient and very deadly disease. Scientists believe that smallpox appeared around 10,000 BC in Africa. They also believe that it spread from Africa to India by Egyptian merchants. Scientists have studied the mummy of Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses V, who died in 1156 BC, and believe he had smallpox. Smallpox was also known in China in 1122 BC. There are also Indian writings from the same period that mention smallpox. Smallpox is the only disease that has ever been eradicated, meaning it no longer exists. The last person to have it was in Somalia in 1977. Smallpox first appeared in Europe between the 5th and 7th centuries and was common in the Middle Ages. There was an outbreak of smallpox around the time the Roman Empire began to fall, around 108 AD. This epidemic was known as the “Antonine Plague” and killed approximately 7 million people. Smallpox was one of the main causes of the fall of the Aztec Empire in Mexico and the Inca Empire in Peru. It was introduced to North America by early settlers and killed many Native Americans. In the 18th century, around 400,000 people died each year from smallpox worldwide. About 30% of people infected with the main form of smallpox died. The rate was higher for babies in the 1800s; about 80 to 90% of infected babies die. About a third of people who got sick but survived became blind from blisters in their eyes. Those who survived had very serious scars on their bodies, including their faces. In England, in the 18th century, smallpox was called “the speckled monster”. During the French and Indian period of the 18th century, British soldiers used smallpox as a biological weapon. They gave blankets to people who had been... middle of paper... never eradicated. All but two of the smallpox samples were destroyed. One is kept frozen at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and the other is kept frozen at the VECTOR Institute in Russia. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the threats related to anthrax, people began to fear that smallpox could be used for bioterrorism, since at least half of the American population was not vaccinated and that those who have been vaccinated were vaccinated more than 30 years ago. Fortunately, the smallpox vaccine works if given within 4 days of exposure. So the government developed a plan to make and store enough vaccines for every American. If there is a terrorist attack, those exposed will be vaccinated. The vaccine causes problems, such as allergies, in some people. It was therefore decided to only use it when necessary...