Orthopoxvirus

Orthopoxvirus is a genus of viruses within the Poxviridae family, known for causing various animal and human diseases. The most famous member is the Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, a disease eradicated in 1980 through global vaccination efforts. Other notable orthopoxviruses include the Vaccinia virus, used in the smallpox vaccine; the Monkeypox virus, which causes monkeypox in humans and animals; and the Cowpox virus, historically significant for its role in the development of the first smallpox vaccine. These viruses are large, double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm of host cells. Transmission can occur through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials, leading to characteristic pustular lesions and flu-like symptoms.