11/02/2024
11/02/2024
ALASKA, Feb 11: Alaska health officials have confirmed the state's inaugural fatal case of Alaskapox, a newly identified viral disease. The Anchorage Daily News reported that an elderly man, immunocompromised and hailing from the Kenai peninsula south of Anchorage, succumbed to the illness while receiving medical care in late January.
The deceased individual represents one of only seven reported instances of Alaskapox infections, as disclosed by the Alaska Department of Public Health in a recent announcement. State epidemiologist Julia Rogers emphasized the importance of heightened awareness among clinicians regarding the Alaskapox virus, stressing the need for prompt identification of symptoms.
Alaskapox, a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the same genus as smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox, first surfaced in an adult in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2015. It primarily affects small mammals such as voles and shrews.
While previous cases of Alaskapox exhibited mild symptoms, typically characterized by a localized rash and swollen lymph nodes, the recent fatality marks the first occurrence beyond Alaska's interior. Diagnosis of the fatal case proved challenging and protracted, as Alaskapox had historically presented benignly in patients.
According to health officials, individuals diagnosed with the virus previously did not require treatment and possessed robust immune systems. However, the deceased's compromised immune status likely contributed to his demise. The source of his infection remains uncertain.
The deceased, a solitary resident of woodland surroundings, reported no recent travel history. Authorities speculate that the man may have contracted Alaskapox from a feline companion known to engage in small mammal hunting. Although the cat tested negative for the virus, transmission via claw contact remains a possibility.
The man's ordeal commenced in September when he noticed a red bump in his right armpit and was initially treated with antibiotics. Despite medical intervention, his condition deteriorated over six weeks, manifesting in fatigue and pain. Hospitalization ensued in December, during which extensive testing initially identified cowpox before subsequent confirmation of Alaskapox by the Centers for Disease Control.
Following an initial improvement in response to intravenous medication, the man ultimately succumbed to kidney and respiratory failure in late January, as confirmed by health authorities.