Smallpox

[Clifford Bond]

Hi Bruce,

I agree completely with your comments.  The hypothetical situation that I 
suggested is real.  To my knowledge, nothing has been resolved about the 
disinternment, but the agencies involved are concerned and plan to take 
appropriate precautions.

Cheers,
Cliff Bond

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*  Clifford W. Bond               INTERNET: umbcb at gemini.oscs.montana.edu  *
*  Department of Microbiology     Telephone:  406 994-4130                 *
*  Montana State University       TeleFAX:    406 994-4926                 *
*  Bozeman, MT 59717 USA                                                   *
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On 23 Jan 1995, Bruce Phillips wrote:

> 
> 	While I think the evidence is pretty solid that smallpox has no
> other reservoir than humans, like poliovirus, I didn't mean tosuggest
> that I favor destroying its existing stocks.  In fact, I think I stated
> that opinion.  There have some interesting hypothetical scenarios presented
> on the net recently concerning how smallpox might be resurrected from
> burial plots, etc.  What the ex-USSR will or willnot do with its stocks
> is highly speculative.
> 
>