Decision to destroy remaining stocks of the smallpox virus has again been postponed

May 22 2005

The World Health Organization (WHO), meeting in Geneva have now decided that more research needs to be carried out on Smallpox.

Smallpox, which once killed millions, was eradicated worldwide in the late 1970s, but stocks of the virus remain in laboratories in the United States and Russia.

Concern has previously been expressed by many countries that the virus could be turned into a biological weapon and plans were initially put forward almost a decade ago to destroy remaining stocks.

Dr Mike Ryan of WHO says the organisation will be failing in its responsibility if it does not retain the stocks to keep treatments up to date.

He says the WHO needs to be absolutely sure that the necessary anti-virals and the necessary vaccines are available if needed to fight the virus should it be released from another source.