How smallpox reached the Americas: first genomic evidence points to Europeans

TL;DR - Viral sequences recovered from Chilean mummies provide the first genomic evidence that smallpox reached the Americas from Europe. The finding clarifies the disease’s historical origin and spread.

• Ancient viral DNA links the detected smallpox infections to European introduction.
• The evidence comes from genomic analysis of Chilean mummified remains.
• The provided summary does not specify sample dates, sequencing methods, or phylogenetic details.