WHO Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research, report of the 4th meeting. Geneva, Switzerland, 20-21 November 2002

Overview

The WHO Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research reviewed progress of research involving live Variola virus. Considerable progress has been made during the past year but it is clear that further high priority research is still necessary. Significant advances have been made in the characterization of the Variola virus strains held in each repository and in the methodologies associated with virus detection and smallpox diagnosis. Work on the further refinement of the non-human primate model of smallpox is proceeding. This model is being used to assess existing antiviral compounds and there is a drug discovery programme underway.