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variola virus

variola virus

1 5.9
A very small germ that causes smallpox in people
  • noun
  • /ˈvɛr.i.oʊ.lə ˈvaɪ.rəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : virus de la viruela
  • Smallpox is caused by the variola virus (genus Orthopoxvirus).
  • viability of the variola virus
  • variola virus specimens
  • live variola virus

Examples

  • Moreover, the variola virus has been absent for over 30 years, and there is an increasingly large population of susceptible persons who have never been vaccinated against smallpox.

    Academic text (2014)
  • There is concern that if the variola virus is present outside these two laboratories, its accidental or intentional release could cause illness in a population increasingly composed of unvaccinated persons.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Historical artifacts tested for variola virus and other viruses.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Viability of infectious variola virus in various materials.

    Academic text (2014)
  • No live variola virus, viral DNA, or human DNA were isolated from the specimens.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Thus, long-term storage and subsequent use of variola virus from preserved specimens have long been recognized.

    Academic text (2014)
  • The corpse yielded DNA closely related to more recent variola virus specimens.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Because each historical specimen and account is unique and the circumstances of preservation differ, it is essential to test suspicious specimens for viable variola virus.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Elimination and eradication of smallpox were feasible, in part, because there is no animal reservoir for the variola virus.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Smallpox is caused by the variola virus, which affects humans and is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus.

Synonyms

smallpox virus
vsvariola virus
  • Specialized
3 3.9

A tiny germ that causes the serious disease smallpox in people

emphasizes scientific classification within a named virus genus

Surface Forms

variola virus singular

Morphology

variola + virus

The compound is a straightforward combination of 'variola' (the disease) and 'virus' (an infectious agent), so the meaning 'the virus that causes variola/smallpox' is directly derivable from the constituents. This follows a common biomedical naming pattern (X virus) found cross-linguistically, making it transparent to learners who know both words.

Etymology

Variola virus gets its name from the old Latin word variola, which meant 'spotted' and was used for 'smallpox' because the illness made the skin full of spots. That's why the name refers to the virus that causes 'smallpox'.