The specter of weaponized smallpox being unleashed on the world presents governments with onerous decisions. Should they vaccinate their populations? What risks are there? In today¹s interconnected world, would containment of a new outbreak even be possible?

This disturbing documentary details the history of the disease, its near elimination, and current dilemmas. Despite having signed an international agreement, the Soviets developed the smallpox virus for potential military use. They considered it a weapon of last resort because of its lethal and unstoppable nature. After the Soviet Union¹s collapse, smallpox stock may have found its way into the hands of rogue states or terrorists.

In June, 2001 several U.S. bio-terrorism experts "war-gamed" an attack they called "Dark Winter". The chilling results lead the U.S. to initiate vaccinating selected members of the military and emergency response workers. The Israeli government has proceeded with mass vaccinations.

Experts interviewed include virologists from England, the U.S. and the USSR, including Dr. Ken Alabek who once headed the lab in Siberia that spearheaded the program.

Note: there are strong images.