19 November 2001

Text: Health Secretary Announces Smallpox Preservation

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson announced November 16 that the United States will not destroy its existing stores of preserved smallpox virus.

A global effort to eradicate the disease was successful in the 1970s, and a debate has unfolded in the international health community in recent years over whether existing stores of the virus should be forever destroyed.

Thompson said the United States will retain smallpox stores in view of recent events that have transformed bioterrorism from a threat to a reality.

"Until we have developed our defenses, we must keep this killer secure but available for needed research. We must be able to counter this virus as well as any altered variant that might be produced. We must have the virus itself on hand to be sure we can carry out the research and development that is needed," Thompson said.

Following is the text of Thompson's statement:

(begin text)

U.S.DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Friday, Nov. 16, 2001

STATEMENT BY TOMMY G. THOMPSON,
Secretary of Health and Human Services

Regarding Remaining Smallpox Repositories

"The eradication of smallpox in 1977 was one of our greatest public health achievements. Our purpose in maintaining the repository of smallpox virus at this time is to safeguard that accomplishment.

"While known repositories of smallpox exist only in the United States and Russia, it is possible that the virus may also have been acquired by others. Events of the last two months make all too clear that if smallpox virus fell into the wrong hands, it might be deliberately unleashed. While the chance of release of smallpox remains small, it is nonetheless real - and we must be prepared to combat it.

"Until we have developed our defenses, we must keep this killer secure but available for needed research. We must be able to counter this virus as well as any altered variant that might be produced. We must have the virus itself on hand to be sure we can carry out the research and development that is needed: new tools for diagnosis, effective antiviral treatments for the disease, and new vaccine to protect all Americans.

"I have already launched a process for rapid new production of smallpox vaccine. Likewise, we have vigorous research underway to develop new diagnostic and treatment capabilities, as well as the next generation of smallpox vaccines.

"The events of September and October have changed our world. We must and will be prepared to confront today's threats. We will continue to maintain the high security of our existing repository of smallpox virus. But at the same time, we will continue to hold this virus until we have in hand the diagnostic, preventative and treatment tools required to counter release of smallpox virus anywhere in the world."