[Carry_Okie]

If it was smallpox it had to come from one of two sources: CDC (US) or Biopreparat (Russia on an island in the Aral Sea belonging to either Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan). Considering the standing or organized crime in Russia, I don't think this an unlikely development.

[Sabertooth]

If it was smallpox it had to come from one of two sources: CDC (US) or Biopreparat (Russia on an island in the Aral Sea belonging to either Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan). Considering the standing or organized crime in Russia, I don't think this an unlikely development.

Nor does the US Government, it would appear...

60 Minutes: Iraq Has Smallpox (thread 1)

60 Minutes: Iraq Has Smallpox (thread 2)
The sources were Iraqi defectors, IIRC, who claim that the smallpox virus was procured from sources in the bioweapons program in the former Soviet Union.

Other links of interest...

HHS Set to Order Smallpox Vaccine for All Americans

U.S. Sets Up Plan to Fight Smallpox

U.S. to Buy 155M Smallpox Vaccines

Others Follow U.S. on Smallpox Vaccine

(British) Bio-defense requires smallpox vaccine

Smallpox experiment goes well, U.S. expert says

New smallpox terror alert

CDC starts to fight smallpox as weapon

SMALLPOX VACCINATIONS CONSIDERED FOR ENTIRE U.S.

And Now, the Good News about Smallpox

Since last October, the CDC's smallpox vaccination program has been in high gear, with the goal of stockpiling enough vaccine for every man, woman, and child in America.

[madfly]

Yikes.