For being prepared, this is useful:
Berche P.
Trends Micribiol 9(1):15-18 (Jan 2001)
The threat of smallpox and bioterrorism
In particular:
> There is no antiviral treatment and a vaccine is active only if
> administered in the first four days post-exposure.
Since my Medical Microbiology textbook says the incubation period
is 12-15 days this points out the problem. By the time you start
vaccinations you probably already have a large number of dead
people on your hands.
The real need is for antibodies that would create passive immunity
and/or drugs that block the effects of the virus.
Robert
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat May 11 2002 - 17:44:14 MDT