Scientists have suggested further research and a delay in the destruction of the last known remaining surviving strains of a virus that causes smallpox. The virus, variola, will be a topic of discussion at an upcoming meeting of the World Health Assembly, WHA, the governing body of the World Health Organization (WHO).

During the meeting, a decision must be made about whether or not to destroy the last remaining strains of this virus.

An international group of scientists, led by Inger Damon of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, argue against the destruction in an opinion piece that was published on May 1 in PLOS Pathogens. They argued that the WHA should not destroy the virus since vital scientific questions have not yet been answered and crucial public health goals have not been met.

The most recent instance of smallpox infection in a human occurred in 1977. Eradication of small pox was declared just a few years later in 1980, making it the only human pathogen that has been successfully eradicated to date.  Since then, scientists have continued to engage in research on the disease, which typically carries symptoms of illness, rashes, and has been known to result in blindness or even death. Stockpiles of the virus are currently held in Russian and American labs, with final jurisdiction over the fate of those strains in the hands of the WHO.

The scientists who are against eradicating the virus explain in a statement that, “…variola is unusual in that it is known to be a sole human pathogen, the viral and host factors responsible for this human-specific tropism remain essentially unknown to this day.” They continue to argue that, “…greater exploitation of current technologies may lead to additional therapeutic or diagnostic products to better respond to any future emergency situation resulting from a smallpox appearance.

In conclusion, the authors say, “the original goals of the WHO agenda for newer and safer vaccines, fully licensed antiviral drugs, and better diagnostics have still not been fully met.”