Massachusetts smallpox epidemic

The Massachusetts smallpox epidemic or colonial epidemic was a smallpox outbreak that hit Massachusetts in 1633.[1] Smallpox outbreaks were not confined to 1633 however, and occurred nearly every ten years.[2] Smallpox was caused by two different types of variola viruses: variola major and variola minor.[3] The disease was hypothesized to be transmitted due to an increase in the immigration of European settlers to the region who brought Old World smallpox aboard their ships.[4]

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  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Esqyh was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Geddes, Alasdair M. (2006-05-01). "The history of smallpox". Clinics in Dermatology. 24 (3): 152–157. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2005.11.009. PMID 16714195.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).