Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease. There is no specific treatment for Smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. Smallpox outbreaks have occurred from time to time for thousands of years, but the disease is now eradicated after a successful worldwide vaccination program. The last case of Smallpox in the United States was in 1949. The last naturally occurring case in the world was in Somalia in 1977. In 1980, Smallpox was said to be wiped out worldwide, and no cases of naturally occurring Smallpox have happened since. After the disease was eliminated from the world, routine vaccination against Smallpox among the general public was stopped because it was no longer necessary for prevention.

The thought of a Smallpox outbreak is scary, but public health officials are preparing to respond quickly and effectively to such an event. The public can prepare too, by being informed. If a Smallpox emergency occurs, more detailed information and instructions will be available here on the DC Department of Health website, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website and through other channels such as radio and television.

This information taken from the Smallpox page on the CDC website.

Service Contact: Emergency Medical Services Division of the Department of Health - HEPRA
Contact Phone: (202) 671-4222
Contact Fax: (202) 671-0707
Contact TTY: 711

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday 8:15 am to 4:45 pm

Service Location:
GIS Address: 899 North Capitol Street, NE
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20002