With the threat of bioterrorism looming over the nation, many Americans are wondering whether smallpox will infect them after a 53-year absence from the nation's scene.
Eileen O'Neill, a mass communication graduate student, said she is concerned about the thought of smallpox being used in bioterrorism.
"I am definitely concerned about a smallpox outbreak," O'Neill said. "Sadam Hussain is unstable and pretty wacky. He would do something like that, but I don't walk in fear."
Doug Hauth, Maricopa County public health public information officer, said people should not panic about this possibility.
"As a person working for public health, I know we are prepared if something were to happen," Hauth said. "But at this time there is no hard or stable evidence that there will be an outbreak."
Hauth said if a person contracts smallpox, Arizona would follow the plan of mass immunizations set forth by Washington and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"If a mass immunization takes place, immunizations will start at the source of the outbreak, and then it will move out from the source," Hauth said.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, they have received extensive training from the CDC on how to detect and respond to potential smallpox outbreaks.
The ADHS conducted a statewide training exercise to provide smallpox training to approximately 100 public health and medical professionals around the state.
In light of Sept. 11, 2001, Washington and the CDC are contemplating to change this procedure, Hauth said.
"There is a plan in place through Washington and the CDC to suggest a new procedure," Hauth said. "They are looking at whether there should be a preventative mass immunization."
He said there isn't a date set when the decision may be reached on a preventative immunization.
If an individual were to contract smallpox, the incubation period or the amount of time the virus stays within the body before symptoms show, is about 12 days.
Symptoms include high fever, fatigue and head and backaches.
Two or three days after these initial symptoms, a rash, most prominent on the face, arms and legs, becomes visible. The rash starts with flat, red lesions that become pus-filled after a few days and then begin to crust early in the second week.
Scabs develop and then separate and fall off after about three to four weeks.
According to the CDC, approximately 30 percent of people who contract smallpox will die.
Symptoms of smallpox are avoidable if the person receives a vaccine within two days of exposure. If the vaccine is given within four days after exposure to smallpox, it can lessen the severity of illness or possibly prevent it.
Hauth said it is imperative that people check out the Web sites for the CDC and Arizona Department of Health Services.
"People should learn the signs and symptoms and see a doctor if they are concerned about the information," Hauth said.
The most important people can do is to stay calm as smallpox can be treated once it is identified and it can be controlled, he added.
"Our one message is that should one person contract smallpox, it is not the end of the world," Hauth said. "Immunization will be given in an orderly manner, and people need to be patient. They shouldn't get nervous. If everyone remains calm, then it won't be chaotic."
Reach the reporter at susan.padilla@asu.edu.
