Facts about plague

Plague has decimated human populations throughout history. Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis), plague is usually found in rodents and their fleas. The bacterium could also be spread through by an aerosol bioweapon, resulting in the development of pneumonic plague in exposed individuals. Pneumonic plague then could spread directly from human to human.

The plague's pathogenicity in humans and its potential for human-to-human transmission has made it a strong candidate as a weapon of biological warfare and terrorism. The World Health Organization estimated that intentional release of 50 kg of Y. pestis over a city of 5 million people could result in as many as 150,000 clinical cases and 36,000 deaths.

Symptoms of pneumonic plague include fever, weakness, and rapidly developing pneumonia. Without early treatment, this form of plague will most likely lead to respiratory failure and rapid death.

Facts about smallpox

Smallpox is caused by the variola virus, and is marked by a fever and distinctive skin rash. Following a worldwide vaccination program in 1980, smallpox was declared eradicated. However, the threat exists that smallpox could be used as a weapon of bioterrorism.

Typically spread through direct contact with infected individuals, smallpox is fatal in approximately 30 percent of the cases.

More Plague/Smallpox Facts.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/

World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/smallpox/en/