The World Health Organization (WHO) had earlier announced to destroy the stocks of live smallpox virus but the decision was opposed by many experts at the annual meeting of the WHO in Geneva.

Only two countries, Russia and the United States are known to have the stocks of live smallpox virus. WHO claims that any accidental release of the stock could result in the spread of virus. Stocks could be eradicated as the disease no longer exists in any part of the world. The last naturally occurring case of smallpox was reported in 1977 and the disease was declared officially eradicated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1980.

Kathleen Sebelius, U. S. Secretary of Health said, “Until smallpox really leaves, the world would be pretty vulnerable since most of the world population has no immunity to smallpox”.

Experts say that this live stock could be utilized in developing more vaccines against deadly diseases.

A diplomatic source told Reuters that a number of developing countries including Iran have favored the destruction of virus. Final decision regarding the destruction of the virus will be taken by WHO.