# Oops: Smallpox found in Maryland

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oops-smallpox-found-in-maryland/692695>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 9, 2014, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oops-smallpox-found-in-maryland/692695 "2014-07-09T08:18:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oops-smallpox-found-in-maryland/692695/61 "2014-07-12T02:02:21Z")

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> [@RivkahChaya](#):
>
> Someone is already working on the screenplay.

And Asylum is working on a quickie to cash in on the publicity around the first one, _Poxnado!_

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oops-smallpox-found-in-maryland/692695/62 "2014-07-12T12:42:18Z")

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> [@snowthx](#):
>
> Scary stuff! I recall this story about [100 year-old smallpox scabs found in an old book](http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2003-12-26-smallpox-in-envelope_x.htm) from about 10 years ago.

I’ve heard of all sorts of things being used as bookmarks, but that takes the prize.

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**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oops-smallpox-found-in-maryland/692695/63 "2014-07-12T13:53:19Z")

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> [@Iggy](#):
>
> Two of the recovered vials have been tested at the CDC, and it’s [viable and growing](http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/11/health/smallpox-found-nih-alive/index.html?hpt=hp_c2). That’s about as alive as viruses get.
> 
> Given the storage conditions this leaves open the possibility that any other forgotten samples that might be lurking in dark corners of lab storerooms elsewhere could also be viable. Smallpox may not be as contained as we once thought.

I have zero doubt that there are dozens or even hundreds of other sites around the world that still have stocks of viable smallpox. This is sort of how labs work. You put stuff in the freezer, forget about it, move to other labs and it just sits there for decades because cleaning out a lab freezer is a thankless task where you inevitably throw out someone’s “precious” but poorly labeled samples. I probably have boxes in freezers in ten different labs across the country!

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**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oops-smallpox-found-in-maryland/692695/64 "2014-07-12T16:12:28Z")

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You wouldn’t believe what’s in _my_ freezer.

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**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oops-smallpox-found-in-maryland/692695/65 "2014-07-12T16:13:36Z")

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> [@dropzone](#):
>
> And Asylum is working on a quickie to cash in on the publicity around the first one, _Poxnado!_

I’m already making the popcorn.

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