WHO decided to postpone once again the destruction of samples of variola viruses
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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The World Health Organization (WHO) decided to postpone once again the destruction of collections of samples of variola viruses. The corresponding decision was made after two days of debate at the 64th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. It was decided to return to discussion of the fate of smallpox viruses in 2014.
Smallpox is the first and so far the only infection that has been eradicated through large-scale vaccination of the world's population. WHO officially announced the eradication of smallpox in 1980.
Currently, collections of strains of smallpox continue to be stored in laboratories of two states - Russia and the United States. The issue of the destruction of the latest virus samples has been periodically discussed since 1986.
The countries that own the collections consider their destruction to be premature in view of the continued likelihood of new outbreaks of infection, as well as the possible use of smallpox as a biological weapon.
Both Russia and the United States have previously stated that they intend to keep samples of the smallpox virus for further study at least within the next few years. The decision of the WHO assembly could hardly affect their position, as it is not binding for the member countries of the organization.