Caption

Smallpox viruses. Coloured Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) of a section through many Variola major viruses. These agents cause smallpox. The protein coat of each virus is coloured yellow; DNA genetic material is red. The viruses display a complex symmetry. Smallpox is a disease which, by 1980, was eradicated by vaccination. The disease causes high fever and skin spots that quickly develop into scarring pustules. The virus is transmitted by coughed droplets or the pus from pustules of an infected person. Up to 40% of smallpox victims died due to complications such as pneumonia. The virus is now used for purposes of research. Magnification: x28,500 at 6x7cm size.