Definition

1. Noun:
   • A specific strain of the variola virus: The "variola major virus" is the more severe and historically common form of the virus that causes smallpox, characterized by a high fever and a distinctive, widespread pustular rash.
   • Causative agent of major smallpox: It is the virus responsible for the classic, severe form of the disease smallpox, which had a high mortality rate.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The global eradication campaign successfully eliminated the variola major virus from nature.
  • Research on the variola major virus is strictly controlled due to its potential as a bioterror agent.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific classification: In virology, the term is used to distinguish this virulent strain from the milder "variola minor virus."
  • The variola major virus belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus.

Variants and Related Words

• Variola virus (n): The broader species name for the virus that causes smallpox, encompassing both major and minor strains.
• Variola minor virus (n): The strain of smallpox virus that causes a much milder form of the disease with a mortality rate of less than 1%.
• Smallpox virus (n): A common synonym for the variola virus.

Synonyms

• Major smallpox virus: A direct descriptive synonym.
• Classic smallpox virus: Emphasizes its role in causing the historically prevalent, severe form of the disease.

Noun

1. a type of smallpox virus that has a fatality rate of up to 25 percent