First Death from Alaskapox Virus in Alaska

On Monday, the first death from the Alaskapox virus in Alaska was announced. According to the Anchorage Daily News, an elderly man with a weakened immune system died in the Kenai Peninsula, south of Anchorage, while receiving treatment in late January. The Alaska Department of Health revealed that he was one of only seven known individuals infected with the Alaskapox virus (AKPV), as stated in an announcement released last Friday. Julia Rogers, a state epidemiologist, mentioned, “People don’t necessarily need to be worried, but they should be more aware.” "We hope to make doctors more aware of what the Alaskapox virus is, so they can recognize the signs and symptoms." The man lived alone in a wooded area and had not traveled recently, according to the New York Post. Officials suggested that he may have contracted the Alaskapox from a cat he lived with, which often hunted small mammals and scratched him when his symptoms began. While the cat tested negative for the virus, it is possible that it transmitted the virus through its claws. Currently, there is no evidence that the virus can spread among humans, according to The Telegraph. However, health authorities in Alaska recommended covering any skin lesions with bandages as an additional precaution. Additionally, the Alaska Department of Health warned that household pets like cats and dogs "may also contribute to the spread of the virus." The Alaskapox virus is part of the poxvirus family, similar to monkeypox and cowpox, and is commonly found in field mice and red-backed voles. Symptoms in humans include skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes, and joint or muscle pain.