An elderly man living in Alaska’s remote Kenai Peninsula has become the first known fatality from Alaskapox, a virus recently discovered in the state, health officials reported this week.
The man, who was unnamed, died in late January after being hospitalized in November. He was undergoing cancer treatment and had a weakened immune system, likely contributing to the severity of his illness, officials said.
Alaskapox is related to smallpox and causes symptoms like rashes, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle/joint pain. Only six mild cases have been reported since 2015, all in the Fairbanks area.
It’s unclear how Alaskapox spreads, but may jump from infected small mammals to humans. Tests found evidence of current/past infection in voles and a pet cat. The deceased man cared for a stray cat that often scratched him.
To limit potential spread, officials advise covering skin lesions, handwashing, avoiding shared clothing from affected areas, and following wildlife precautions. While no human-to-human transmission has been documented, authorities remain watchful due to the first Alaskapox death.