‘This Is Very Strange’: Ancient Smallpox May Have Been Less Deadly
Scientists have found smallpox viruses in the remains of people in Chile from around 500 years ago, revealing how the virus may have evolved into a global killer.
The discovery of ancient smallpox viruses in Chile is a significant find that sheds new light on the evolution of this deadly disease. For centuries, smallpox has been known for its high mortality rate, which is estimated to have killed between 300 to 500 million people in the 20th century alone. However, the fact that the virus may have been less deadly in its early stages raises questions about how it became the global killer it is today.
This finding is particularly interesting in the context of the rapid spread of diseases in the Americas following European colonization. The introduction of new diseases like smallpox had a devastating impact on indigenous populations, who had no immunity to them. The fact that the virus may have evolved over time to become more deadly suggests that its impact on these populations may have been even more severe than previously thought.
As scientists continue to study the evolution of smallpox, it's likely that we'll learn more about how diseases can adapt and change over time. What's next to watch is how this research could inform our understanding of other diseases and their potential for mutation. Additionally, this discovery highlights the importance of continued research into the history of diseases and their impact on human populations, which can have significant implications for public health policy and our understanding of the world around us.
Originally reported by nytimes.com. MyNews adds analysis for general news readers.