Mummy Returns And Demystifies - The Curse Of Smallpox
The curse may not be as old as its believed to be. DNA from a 17th century mummy questions the history of its origins. Contrary to its name, 'Small'pox has been one of the biggest epidemic tragedies that mankind has gone through and (barely) survived.
The new discovery ascertains that Smallpox prevailed mere hundreds of years back compared to the earlier assumption that it existed as long as the humans did. Its relatively a recent evolution when compared to the history of mankind.
The latest discovery of a 2-4 yrs old mummified child found buried under a Lithuanian church, shows uncharacteristic similarities to smallpox infection. Radio carbon dating places the body between 1643 - 1645. This also coincides with the historical evidences of a Major smallpox outbreak that swept across Europe and Asia claiming more than 300 million deaths.
Scientists studying the genome sequence from the various ancient remains claim that all these virus are linked to a common ancestor dating back to 1588-1645. This period coincides with mankinds colonization and migration thereby spreading the virus across continents.
To the uninitiated, Smallpox is an extremely contagious disease which often proved fatal. Being an airborne disease the Virus transited easily and rapidly. Apart from the initial flu-like symptoms of Fever, Pain and Vomiting, Smallpox was distinguishably marked by rashes that turned into abscesses filled with pus and other fluids. Starting from the face it would spread to hands, forearms and ultimately the whole body.
Till date there is no cure for Smallpox but World health organistaion's worldwide vaccination campaigns have left it completely eradicated. The only people still susceptible to its wrath are the scientists researching the extremely dangerous live virus in two laboratories of US and Russia.
We must be aware of the fact that the curse is merely contained not cured. We hope the virus continues to rest in peace along with the mummy and they never return.