Ortopoxviruses: Past, Present and Future

Abstract

The analysis of scientific publication, dedicated to human pathogenic orthopoxviruses over the past 40 years is generalizated. The essential activation of focies of monkeypox in Central Africa, cowpox in Europe, buffalopox in South-East Asia, camelpox in South-West and Central Asia and vaccinia-like viruses in Southern America is marked on the background of the apperance of three novel representatives of orthopoxviruses in North America (agents of volepox, raccoonpox and skunpox) and two representatives of African orthopoxviruses (agents of Uasingishu, named self-titled province of Kenya and taterpox).
 It is concluded, that this is facilitated by almost complete absence of anti-smallpox immunity after the elimination of smallpox and stopping immunization in the world on the background of active human intervention in the nature.
 Expert do not exclude, that as a result of a mutation of one of orthopoxviruses of animal, similar to smallpox virus agent will exist. Whereat the world will face a threat, much more serious that swine flu or avian flu.
 It is concluded that modern scientific and methodological approachesto study of orthopoxvirus infections evolution allow to predict threats, related on biological safety of Russian Federation.