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  • Variola Virus: Morphology and Structure of the Smallpox Pathogen
    The smallpox pathogen, Variola virus, is not visible to the naked eye. It is a brick-shaped virus that can only be seen using an electron microscope.

    Here's a description of its appearance under the microscope:

    * Shape: Brick-shaped, with a slightly concave surface.

    * Size: Approximately 200-300 nanometers in diameter.

    * Structure: It has a complex structure, consisting of a core of genetic material (DNA) surrounded by a protein coat (capsid). The capsid is further encased by an outer envelope made of lipids and proteins.

    The virus is not particularly complex in terms of its structure, but its ability to cause a devastating disease makes it a significant public health threat. Fortunately, due to the success of vaccination programs, smallpox has been eradicated globally.

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