An illness with acute onset of fever ≥101º F ( ≥38.3º C) followed by a rash characterized by firm, deep seated vesicles or pustules in the same stage of development without other apparent cause. Clinically consistent cases are those presentations of smallpox that do not meet this classical clinical case definition: a) hemorrhagic type, b) flat type, and c) variola sine eruptione. (Detailed clinical description is available on the CDC web site, see URL: https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/clinicians/clinicaldisease.html).
Note: Indications for laboratory testing of patients with suspected smallpox should be followed as described in detail on CDC's smallpox website at https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/labpersonnel/specimen-collection/specimen-collection-transport.html . Diagnostic testing for variola virus is conducted in select LRN laboratories that meet variola testing facility requirements.
A case with a generalized, acute vesicular or pustular rash illness with fever preceding development of rash by 1–4 days.
A case that meets the clinical case definition, or a clinically consistent case that does not meet the clinical case definition and has an epidemiological link to a confirmed case of smallpox.
A case of smallpox that is laboratory confirmed, or a case that meets the clinical case definition that is epidemiologically linked to a laboratory confirmed case.
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