This disease is “a relatively contagious disease for its ability to cause massive epidemics” (Carson-Dewitt 2). The variola virus, a poxvirus family member, causes the spread of smallpox as it invades the cells of the victim (Carson-DeWitt Science 1). It makes millions of copies of itself and those copies break out of the cell, destroying it ultimately (Reingold 9). Smallpox may be contracted through direct or indirect contact. First, the virus will spread if one experiences contact with a contaminated person. This may include sneezing, talking, coughing, or exchange of saliva. Indirectly, the virus may be spread through air circulating systems in a large building, such as air condition. It attaches onto air droplets and travels through the air. Although extremely uncommon, it may also be spread through unanimate contaminated objects, such as bedding, clothing, or furniture. In many cases, it has been speculated that terrorists may use the virus as a weapon to threaten the world by potentially releasing it (Mayo 2). As one deepens his or her knowledge on the causes of smallpox, his or her understanding of the disease