Ancient mummy DNA in Chile shows that colonisation brought smallpox to the Americas

Analysis of DNA from Chilean mummies has revealed the earliest known genome of the smallpox virus recovered from the Americas.

The oldest virus samples found on American soil had already fully adapted to humans

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Before its eradication in 1980, largely due to vaccination, smallpox stood as one of humanity's deadliest diseases

Ancient Mummy DNA Reveals Colonization Spread Smallpox  HuffPost

NEW YORK (AP) — Ancient mummy DNA recovered in Chile has yielded the firmest evidence yet that European colonization brought smallpox to the Americas.

New research says ancient mummy DNA provides the firmest evidence yet that European colonization brought smallpox to the Americas

The mummies of two people who lived in Chile more than 400 years ago carry DNA from smallpox, providing the first molecular evidence that the virus was brought to the Americas from Europe