Alaska health officials have confirmed the first death caused by a newly discovered viral illness known as Alaskapox. The victim, an elderly man from the Kenai Peninsula, south of Anchorage, passed away in late January, becoming one of only seven known cases.
Julia Rogers, a state epidemiologist, stressed the importance of raising awareness among clinicians to recognize the signs and symptoms of Alaskapox. It took several months for doctors to diagnose the fatal case, and the patient's weakened immune system may have contributed to his death. However, it remains uncertain how he contracted the illness.
Reports indicate that the man lived alone in the woods and had not recently traveled. He may have contracted the disease from a cat he lived with. The cat scratched him when he began showing symptoms. Although the cat tested negative for the virus, officials believe it could have been transmitted through its claws.
The man was hospitalized in Anchorage and underwent numerous tests in December. Initially, he tested positive for cowpox, but further tests by the Centers for Disease Control revealed it was Alaskapox. He ultimately succumbed to kidney and respiratory failure.
What is Alaskapox?
Alaskapox is a double-stranded DNA virus related to smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox. It was first identified in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2015 and is common in small animals.
According to Alaska's website, there is no documented human-to-human transmission of Alaskapox, but precautions are advised for those with skin lesions. Symptoms include skin bumps, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle pain. People with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness.
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