Scourge: The Once and Future Threat of SmallpoxA Washington Post Best Book of 2001, Scourge provides a definitive account of the dramatic story of smallpox by a leading "expert on biological and chemical weapons" (The New York Times). Jonathan B. Tucker traces the history of the smallpox virus from its first recorded outbreak around 3700 B.C. through its use as the first biological warfare agent in human history, and draws some decisively important lessons for the future. In a timely debate, Tucker addresses the ever-growing concerns about the proliferation of the deadly smallpox virus and its use by terrorist organizations. Explaining how the eradication of the disease in the late 1970s encouraged military research and production of the virus, he exposes the failure of the Russian government to secure its remaining cold-war stockpiles, and evaluates the past and present measures undertaken by the United States to counter the existing dangers of a smallpox attack. Ultimately, he passionately argues for the strengthening of the existing legal ban on the development and possession of biological weapons. Impeccably researched, Scourge is as arresting as it is indispensable, and as William Beatty in Booklist raves, Tucker "has a sense of ... history that helps him make the story of smallpox as disease and ... weapon fascinating and frightening." Scourge has been acclaimed as "a concise, suspenseful and scientifically accurate narrative." -- The New York Times Book Review" Tucker's fascinating, revealing book affords the reader a sobering look at this new type of warfare...." -- Chris Patsilelis, Houston Chronicle -- "[Tucker] reports the debate evenhandedly and with telling detail." -- David Brown, The Washington Post Book World |
Contents
MONSTER ON DEATH ROW | 1 |
SMALLPOX AND CIVILIZATION | 5 |
DR JENNERS VACCINE | 23 |
LAUNCHING THE CRUSADE | 39 |
GLOBAL ERADICATION | 61 |
LONG ROAD TO ZERO | 90 |
REALM OF THE FINAL INCH | 119 |
THE SOVIET BETRAYAL | 139 |
STAY OF EXECUTION | 166 |
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Common terms and phrases
Acambis aerosol Africa agents Alibekov anthrax antiviral drugs areas Atlanta bifurcated needle biological warfare biological weapons Biopreparat bioterrorism biowarfare British Center chickenpox committee contain countries cowpox D. A. Henderson Defense destroy destruction developed drugs endemic epidemiologists Fenner fever Foege Frank Fenner freeze-dried genetic Geneva health workers hospital human immune Indian infected infectious diseases inoculation isolation laboratory large numbers live variola virus live virus mass vaccination measles military million doses monkeypox months Moscow officials Orthopoxvirus patients percent population poxvirus President public health pustules rash remained reported Russian scientific skin smallpox epidemic smallpox eradication campaign smallpox research smallpox vaccine smallpox virus Soviet Union spread staff stockpile stocks of variola strains of variola surveillance surveillance-containment terrorist threat tion U.S. government vaccination campaign vaccinia variola major variola virus stocks village viral virologists viruses World Health Assembly World Health Organization Zagorsk