Smallpox Research Oversight Activities:WHO Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research

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A natural re-emergence of smallpox is not deemed possible, but if it were to occur as a result of a terrorist or deliberate event, it would be a potentially devastating threat to public health worldwide and would constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005). A case of smallpox detected by a member state requires notification to WHO as soon as possible, and any confirmed smallpox case would generate an immediate global public health response. Since May 1999, when the 52nd World Health Assembly (WHA) resolved to postpone the destruction of the Variola virus to allow for this essential research (WHA 52.10), WHO has been charged with convening a group of experts to advise on the need for continuing such research, to review proposals for research involving viable Variola virus, to review the progress of such research, and to report to the WHA each year. The need to support the activities described in this project has not changed. The Variola virus research and stocks destruction are expected to be substantive agenda items at the 70th World Health Assembly in 2017.

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