Zoom in on microorganisms

Species that are extinct or are on the verge of extinction


Smallpox virus

Smallpox virus

© Robert Alain, SME, INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier

Microorganism: Smallpox virus (orthopoxvirus)

Disease: Smallpox

Date of eradication: Declared eradicated in 1978 (virus conserved in certain laboratories)

Estimated date of destruction of the last samples: 19992002