Warning over new virus, say experts

Global health experts have raised concerns that a virus once thought eradicated—smallpox—could pose a future pandemic risk, or that a closely related virus might fill its ecological niche.

Smallpox, known scientifically as Variola virus, was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980 following an extensive global vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO). Today, the virus exists only in a handful of highly secure laboratories, tightly regulated to prevent accidental release.

Despite this success, scientists warn that the cessation of routine smallpox vaccination over the past four decades has left human populations increasingly vulnerable. Immunity to poxviruses in general has waned, potentially allowing other members of the Orthopoxvirus family to spread more easily and trigger significant outbreaks.

Current concerns focus on several viruses within this family:

*Risk level reflects current known human outbreak potential.

Experts emphasise that these related poxviruses—particularly monkeypox, cowpox, buffalopox, and camelpox—could potentially occupy the ecological gap left by smallpox, creating new public health challenges. Dr. Anjali Menon, a virologist, notes, “While smallpox itself is gone, other orthopoxviruses remain capable of adaptation. Monitoring, research, and preparedness are essential to prevent future crises.”

The historical impact of smallpox underscores this urgency. In the 20th century alone, smallpox claimed approximately 500 million lives globally, ranking among the deadliest pandemics in human history. Its eradication remains a triumph of modern medicine, yet it also serves as a cautionary tale: even eradicated diseases can leave behind vulnerabilities if preventive measures are relaxed.

Public health authorities are therefore advocating renewed vigilance, including enhanced surveillance of orthopoxviruses, laboratory safety measures, and consideration of targeted vaccination strategies for high-risk groups. The scientific community stresses that proactive preparation is far more effective than reactive responses once an outbreak begins.

In conclusion, while humanity has overcome smallpox, the landscape of poxvirus threats continues to evolve. Researchers urge governments, healthcare institutions, and the public to remain alert, as the next poxvirus pandemic could arise from unexpected quarters.