‘This Is Very Strange’: Ancient Smallpox May Have Been Less Deadly
Scientists have found smallpox viruses in the remains of people in Chile from around 500 years ago, revealing how the virus may have evolved into a global killer.
The discovery of ancient smallpox viruses in the remains of people in Chile from around 500 years ago is a significant finding that sheds new light on the evolution of the virus. Smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980 through a global vaccination campaign, is known to have caused an estimated 300 to 500 million deaths in the 20th century alone. The fact that the virus may have been less deadly in its early stages raises questions about how it became such a potent killer.
This finding is particularly interesting in the context of the rapid spread of diseases across the globe that occurred during the Age of Exploration. As European explorers and colonizers traveled to new regions, they brought with them diseases to which local populations had no immunity, leading to devastating outbreaks. The fact that smallpox may have been less deadly in its early stages suggests that it may have undergone changes over time that made it more virulent.
What's next to watch is how this discovery will inform our understanding of the evolution of other diseases and how they spread across the globe. Additionally, researchers may be able to use this ancient virus to develop new treatments or vaccines for smallpox and other related diseases. As scientists continue to study the ancient viruses, we can expect to learn more about the history of smallpox and how it became the global killer it once was.
Originally reported by nytimes.com. NewsAvenue adds analysis for general news readers.