Moore Zack S, Seward Jane F, Lane J Michael
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Lancet. 2006 Feb 4;367(9508):425-35. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68143-9.
The WHO declared smallpox eradicated in 1980. However, concern over its potential use by terrorists or in biowarfare has led to striking growth in research related to this much-feared disease. Modern molecular techniques and new animal models are advancing our understanding of smallpox and its interaction with the host immune system. Rapid progress is likewise being made in smallpox laboratory diagnostics, smallpox vaccines, and antiviral medications. WHO and several nations are developing stockpiles of smallpox vaccine for use in the event the disease is reintroduced. National and international public-health agencies have also drawn up plans to help with early detection of and response to a smallpox outbreak. These plans hinge on physicians' ability to recognise the clinical features of smallpox and to distinguish it from other illnesses characterised by rashes.
世界卫生组织于1980年宣布天花已被根除。然而，对恐怖分子可能使用天花或其用于生物战的担忧，导致与这种令人恐惧的疾病相关的研究显著增加。现代分子技术和新的动物模型正在增进我们对天花及其与宿主免疫系统相互作用的理解。天花实验室诊断、天花疫苗和抗病毒药物方面也正在取得迅速进展。世界卫生组织和几个国家正在储备天花疫苗，以备该病再次出现时使用。国家和国际公共卫生机构也已制定计划，以协助早期发现天花疫情并作出应对。这些计划取决于医生识别天花临床特征并将其与其他以皮疹为特征的疾病区分开来的能力。
