Keep Your Distance From People Recently Vaccinated Against Smallpox

Military personnel and others are still routinely vaccinated against smallpox. Four days after receiving his smallpox vaccination, a U.S. service member engaged in wresting matches, during which the bandage covering his vaccination site fell off. His two opponents developed skin lesions within several days. One of those men wrestled another man, who later exhibited chest skin lesions. A woman living with the service member developed facial lesions and other symptoms. These problems were not caused by smallpox virus, but by vaccinia, the live virus used to immunize against smallpox (warning: the previous link contains a medical image of skin lesions). In rare cases the lesions caused by vaccinia can be fatal.

It would seem important to educate people receiving this virus of the dangers. The fact that the vaccinia infection can spread to individuals beyond those who have direct contact with the vaccinated patient is particularly interesting.