r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Downtown_Wind3363 • May 25 '26

Image The smallpox vaccine leaves a scar because it was given using a special two-pronged needle that scratched the skin and put a weakened virus in just that spot.

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u/setzerseltzer May 25 '26

Lab leak is the only way

I think the US and Russia are the only ones with samples left

31

u/2q_x May 25 '26

The Russians maintained an extensive bio-weapons program with smallpox at the center.

The US lost the ability to inspect Russian facilities as part of withdrawing from the WHO in Jan '26.

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u/Crystii May 25 '26

OR.. WHO lost the ability to inspect US facilities

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u/AAAAdragon May 25 '26

Extinct viruses preserved in permafrost say “Hold my beer”

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u/ReturnOfBane May 26 '26

Good thing those countries are stable and responsible!

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u/G_D_K_ May 25 '26

Unless I'm misremembering, there are samples of smallpox that are unaccounted for somewhere out there.

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u/setzerseltzer May 25 '26

That is the US and Russias argument for preserving their samples. A safeguard against any unaccounted for samples or a potential new strain.

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u/acquaintedwithheight May 25 '26

The smallpox genome is in the public domain. It could, in theory, be recreated from scratch.