An elderly man has tragically succumbed to Alaskapox, marking the first known fatality from this newly discovered virus, as confirmed by Alaskan state health officials.
The man, a resident of the remote Kenai Peninsula, was hospitalized in November last year and passed away in late January, according to a bulletin released by public health officials last week.
Reportedly undergoing cancer treatment, the man had a compromised immune system due to medication, which may have exacerbated the severity of his illness, the bulletin noted. While his age was described as elderly, specific details were not provided.
Alarming symptoms associated with Alaskapox include a rash, swollen lymph nodes, and joint or muscle pain.
Interestingly, prior to this case, only six other instances of the virus had been reported to Alaska health authorities since its first appearance in 2015. These cases were all confined to individuals residing in the Fairbanks area, more than 483 km (300 miles) from the Kenai Peninsula, and fortunately, all had mild courses and recovered without hospitalization.
The deceased individual "resided alone in a forested area and reported no recent travel and no close contacts with recent travel, illness, or similar lesions," the health bulletin highlighted.
The mode of transmission for AKPV remains elusive, though researchers suspect it may be zoonotic, capable of transferring from animals to humans. Tests have shown evidence of current or past infection in various small mammal species in the Fairbanks area, including red-backed voles, and even in at least one domestic pet.
It was revealed that the man had cared for a stray cat at his residence, although the feline tested negative for the virus. However, the cat frequently hunted small mammals and scratched the patient regularly, raising the possibility that the virus could have been present on its claws during the scratching incidents. Notably, a scratch near the armpit area where the first symptom a red lesion appeared was observed.
While there have been no documented cases of human-to-human transmission, health officials recommended individuals with skin lesions possibly caused by Alaskapox to cover the affected area with a bandage. Other precautions include thorough handwashing, avoiding sharing clothing that may have come into contact with the lesions, and laundering clothing and bedding separately from other household items.
Furthermore, health authorities advised Alaskans to adhere to federal health guidelines when interacting with wildlife to minimize the risk of potential Alaskapox infections.
What is Alaskapox?
Alaskapox is a rare viral disease caused by the alaskapox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. This virus primarily infects small mammals such as squirrels, voles, and shrews, but it can also infect humans. The disease manifests with symptoms such as fever, headache, malaise, and the development of lesions on the skin, which can be painful and sometimes lead to scarring.
The transmission of alaskapox to humans typically occurs through direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids, such as through scratches, bites, or handling of infected carcasses. Human-to-human transmission is rare but possible, primarily through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects.
Alaskapox was first identified in Alaska in 2015 when a cluster of cases was reported among individuals who had close contact with infected pet rodents. Since then, sporadic cases have been reported, with a total of seven human cases documented in Alaska.
Recently, Alaska state health officials announced the death of a man due to alaskapox, highlighting the severity of the disease. This underscores the importance of public health efforts to monitor and control the spread of the virus, as well as the need for increased awareness among healthcare providers and the general public.
Preventive measures include avoiding contact with potentially infected animals, practicing good hygiene, and promptly seeking medical attention if symptoms suggestive of alaskapox develop. Additionally, vaccination may be considered for individuals at high risk of exposure, such as wildlife researchers or those living in endemic areas.
Efforts to better understand the epidemiology and natural history of alaskapox are ongoing, with research focused on identifying the reservoir hosts, transmission dynamics, and potential interventions to prevent and control the disease.
