First Known Fatal Case of Alaskapox Reported in Alaska

Officials from the state health department have confirmed the first known fatal case of Alaskapox. The victim, an immunocompromised man from the Kenai Peninsula, was undergoing treatment in Anchorage when he succumbed to the virus in late January. Alaskapox, a recently discovered species of double-stranded DNA virus, was first identified in Alaska in 2015 and is related to smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox. This virus primarily affects small mammals like voles and shrews. The deceased man is one of only seven reported cases of Alaskapox in the state, making this fatality particularly significant as previous infections had been mild and non-life-threatening. The case is also noteworthy because it occurred outside the Fairbanks area for the first time. Health officials believe that the severity of the man’s illness may have been exacerbated by his compromised immune system. Prior to this incident, reported infections had resulted in mild symptoms such as a localized rash and swollen lymph nodes, and none of the individuals required treatment as they all had healthy immune systems. This recent fatality suggests that the virus may be more prevalent among Alaska’s rodents and small animals than previously assumed, prompting state recommendations for medical professionals to be able to recognize the symptoms. According to state epidemiology chief Dr. Joe McLaughlin, the attention drawn to this latest case may lead to an increase in reported Alaskpox virus cases as more people become aware of the symptoms and seek testing.
The cause of the fatal case remains unclear. It is possible that the man, who lived in a remote area and had not traveled, contracted the virus from a stray cat that hunted small mammals and scratched him near the location where his symptoms first appeared. The cat tested negative for the virus but could have been carrying it on its claws.
Illustrations from an article titled “Novel Orthopoxvirus Infection in an Alaska Resident”. The disease is also called Alaskapox. (Creative Commons image) The man noticed a tender red bump in his armpit in September and sought medical care multiple times over six weeks, eventually being prescribed antibiotics. By mid-November, his symptoms worsened, including fatigue and pain. He was initially hospitalized on the Kenai Peninsula and later transferred to Anchorage as his symptoms progressed, displaying more pox-like lesions. In December, tests revealed a positive result for cowpox, and subsequent testing by the Centers for Disease Control confirmed Alaskapox. The man began to show signs of improvement after receiving intravenous medication, but unfortunately, he passed away in late January due to kidney failure and other systemic declines.
Health officials advise individuals with lesions to cover them with bandages and report any potential symptoms of Alaskapox to a medical provider. Alaskans are also urged to practice good hygiene when hunting, trapping, or being around pets that may come into contact with small animals such as voles or shrews. In one reported case, a Fairbanks-area resident contracted Alaskapox after their dog rolled in dead animals, although it remains uncertain if contact with the dog was the cause of the infection. Some individuals who later tested positive for Alaskapox initially believed they had spider bites, highlighting the virus’s ability to go unnoticed in a medical context. The bulletin includes nine recommendations, addressing a range of practices from urging Alaskans to use safe practices around wildlife to clinics taking measures to protect immunocompromised patients and staff when dealing with the virus.

Author: OpenAI