[Think free or die]

Thank you for all the good info. My husband and I were vaccinated as little tykes in the late 50's or early 60's, but as far as I know haven't received any boosters. I worry more about our 8 and 6 year old sons, who are completely vulnerable.

Do you know how readily smallpox is spread via inanimate objects? I've seen conflicting information. Some suggests that the virus can remain on objects for months, and other information tells me that it's been rare for even bedding from ill patients to cause further infection. This will make a huge difference if an outbreak takes place before immunization takes place on a large scale.

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

[bonesmccoy]

Dear "think free or die", Are you from New Hampshire? (Just wondering) Regarding spread of small pox through inanimate objects, I can not speak to the issue with credibility. Frankly, I don't think anyone on EARTH can either. Not to make you more concerned, but the last case of smallpox occured in (I think) 1977 in Somalia. Yeah, that's right... the same place where our Marines got ambushed by Osama's gang. This means that if the physician was 40 and diagnosed smallpox in Somalia in 1977, he would now be 65! You are correct. All US children are completely and totally vulnerable to this virus. On the other hand, the US government has a responsibility to declassify and release info on any small pox weapons programs. I am becoming frustrated with the lack of clinical data on the presentation of each case of Anthrax. I should not be learning of the cases through MSNBC! I should be hearing from physicians who observed each case. Unfortunately, it looks like physicians are running for shelter (trying to cover their tails for potentially missed diagnoses) instead of spreading word on what happened in each case.