That is your opinion, but the fact that the disease takes so long to become contagious, and the emergence of many anti viral meds in the past decade, make you scenario highly unlikely.
Another point, there was an outbreak of smallpox in New York City in 1947, in which a man arrived from Mexico sick with the diesase. The diagnosis of smallpox wasn't even made until two other infections had been identified. But despite the headstart, there were only 12 total cases.
We have the ability to keep a dangerous diesase like smallpox under control.
Well, yes, that IS my opinion, but if you read my original post in reply to your somewhat optimistic scenario, you would note tha my basic opinion is that this will not happen- because this weapon will not be used.
I submit that you have no better idea of what the total casualties would be than I do, and further, that no-one can possibly know this unless and until the attack happens. There are an awful lot of variables not even mentioned on this thread, many of which are unknowable.
If it makes you feel better to believe that smallpox, the ancient scourge of mankind, really isn't all THAT dangerous, then do so.
We have the ability to keep a dangerous diesase like smallpox under control.
Sure we have the ability to keep a dangerous disease like smallpox under control -- when the vector consists initially of a single infected individual.
I can very easily imagine a technique by which terrorists could simultaneously infect thousands of children in dozens of cities this halloween. That presents a much more challenging scenario.