ScienceAugust 15, 2026

smallpox

SMAWL-paks

Definition

A serious, highly contagious, and often fatal infectious disease caused by the variola virus, now officially eradicated.

Etymology

The word originated in the 16th century to distinguish the disease from syphilis, which was then known as the 'great pox.' It is formed from the Old English 'smæl' (small) and 'poc' (pustule or bag).

In the news

Smallpox is mentioned as an example of a dangerous virus that was eradicated through vaccination, serving as a cautionary benchmark for how synthetic biology might theoretically be used to recreate eradicated pathogens.

AI designed a virus, scientists brought it to life

Read the full article ↗

Ynetnews

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