"The typical smallpox infected person wouldn't be at the mall -- but most likely he wouldn't be at home either. He'd be at the Emergency Room, a clinic or the hospital (all with lots of people present to be infected)." Well the terrorist would have to agree to get smallpox and then go an emergency room. But any attending physician would recognise the small pox pretty quickly and the whole place can be quaranteened and anyone in the ER that day could be notified. Well anyway I do wish I knew more about how small pox could be spread.
About an attending physician being able to recognize smallpox -- not necessarily. It hasn't been around for quite awhile. It could have symptoms similar to other types of illnesses. It may not be easily detectable.
I just asked my husband, who's in family practice, if he'd pick up on it immediately -- he said probably not off the top of his head. That it is extremely uncommon even with folks on alert.
Don't forget -- we've had people die of Anthrax after seeing their health professional.
A terrorist doesn't have to necessarily catch smallpox to pass it along -- it could be passed via other means.