Laboratory-Acquired Vaccinia Virus Infection --- Virginia, 2008
Vaccinia virus (VACV) is the live viral component of smallpox
vaccine. Inadvertent exposure to VACV can result in infection,
and severe complications can occur in persons with underlying
risk factors (e.g., pregnancy, immunodeficiencies, or
dermatologic conditions) (1). The Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends smallpox vaccination
for laboratory workers who handle nonhighly attenuated VACV
strains or other orthopoxviruses (e.g., monkeypox, cowpox, or
variola) (2). On July 8, 2008, CDC was notified by a Virginia
physician of a suspected case of inadvertent autoinoculation and
VACV infection in an unvaccinated laboratory worker. This report
describes the subsequent investigations conducted by the
Virginia Department of Health and CDC to identify the source of
infection and any cases of contact transmission. Of the
patient's 102 possible contacts, seven had underlying risk
factors for developing serious vaccinia infection.