# Is smallpox still present in the world today? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/is-smallpox-still-present-in-the-world-today Language: en Category: infectious Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T08:09:53.052Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T08:09:53.052Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/is-smallpox-still-present-in-the-world-today Smallpox is an ancient viral disease caused by the variola virus, and the direct answer is that it no longer exists naturally in the world. Thanks to intensive international efforts led by the World Health Organization, this disease was completely eradicated from nature. The last known natural case was recorded in Somalia in 1977, and since then, no other natural cases have occurred. In 1980, the World Health Assembly officially declared the eradication of smallpox from the world [\[1\]](), [\[3\]](). ## History of the Disease and Global Eradication Efforts For thousands of years, smallpox was one of humanity's most feared and deadly diseases, causing the death of approximately 30% of those infected [\[1\]](). The disease spread through direct contact and respiratory droplets from the breath of infected individuals. The strategy to eliminate it consisted of an unprecedented global vaccination campaign that involved identifying all active cases and their contacts, isolating them, and vaccinating them to prevent chains of transmission. This arduous and precise effort eventually led to a world free of this disease, which previously killed millions [\[1\]](), [\[3\]](). ## Virus Stocks and Security Concerns Despite the declaration of the disease's eradication, the smallpox virus has not completely disappeared from the planet. After 1979, it was agreed to limit all remaining stocks of the virus to only two high-security laboratories: one in the United States and the other in Russia, for scientific research purposes. However, some governments raise concerns about the possibility of undeclared stocks that could be used in deliberate biological attacks to cause harm. Based on these concerns, the World Health Organization is working to assist countries in strengthening their preparedness and readiness for such contingencies [\[1\]](), [\[2\]](). ## Why Is Routine Vaccination Not Recommended Today? Currently, the smallpox vaccine is not recommended for the general public because its preventive benefits ended with the cessation of the disease's natural existence. The vaccine used does not contain the smallpox virus itself; rather, it uses a related virus called "vaccinia," which provides immune protection but carries side effects that can be dangerous or even fatal in very rare cases. Therefore, the use of the vaccine is currently limited to very high-risk groups, such as researchers working with related viruses or frontline workers in cases of extreme necessity [\[1\]](), [\[3\]](). ## Emergency Preparedness and Case Tracking The current global strategy relies on health vigilance. If any suspected case of smallpox appears, public health systems are rapidly activated to identify the infected person, immediately trace their contacts, and vaccinate them to contain any potential outbreak. If you are interested in learning more about the historical development and scientific efforts that led to this result, you can view [Smallpox: History of the Disease, Eradication Efforts, and the Importance of Vaccines (Arabic)](). Always remember that developments in dealing with infectious diseases require following official health institutions to ensure the accuracy of information available to the public [\[1\]](). ## Medical references - [Smallpox]() - [Smallpox]() - [About Smallpox]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/is-smallpox-still-present-in-the-world-today#answer