Meaning if you were to unearth someone who died of small pox would it be dangerous? Also could you still find traces of the disease?
2006-07-24 06:21:55 · 4 answers · asked by george 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
In theory a virus can survive for several years. The official recomendation in several countries for recent cases of small pox is that such coffins should be cremated. Lids should be secured and outside washed with phenolic disinfectant. But in practice I would infer that there is little reason for concern. The world was officially declared free of smallpox in 1979.
2006-07-24 06:39:54 · answer #1 · answered by regis_cabral 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
small pox can survive for hundreds of years, that's why bodies with the disease have to be incinerated.
2006-07-24 06:25:33 · answer #2 · answered by Ajescent 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
since smallpox is a virus. and viruses are not living things. it can last for a very long time. thousands, even tens of thousands of years befor somebody or something interferes with its dormancy and awakens it. viruses can only be killed by way of antibodies. so they will be there for a long, long time.
2006-07-24 06:25:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends what the small box is composed of.
2006-07-24 06:25:39 · answer #4 · answered by ••Mott•• 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋