Variola major ordinary type presents in more than 90 percent of cases among unvaccinated persons.

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The main idea here is that in smallpox, the ordinary form (variola major) is the typical, classic presentation, especially in people who have not been vaccinated. Historically, among unvaccinated individuals, the overwhelming majority of smallpox cases—more than 90%—manifest as variola major ordinary type. This reflects the lack of prior immunity allowing the body to mount the full, classic febrile and vesiculopustular rash that defines ordinary smallpox. Variola minor occurs much less often in this group, while vaccination can blunt or alter the presentation, making the ordinary form less dominant in previously vaccinated populations. So the statement is true because the ordinary form accounts for the vast majority of cases in those without vaccination.