A man in Alaska passed away from a new virus called Alaskapox, which is the first recorded death from this virus in the state. The man was older and had cancer treatment, which made his immune system weak. Last September, he noticed a strange sore under his arm. He went to the hospital, but his condition got worse, and he was moved to a bigger hospital in Anchorage. Doctors found out he had Alaskapox, a virus that is similar to others but different. Despite getting better at first, he eventually got very sick and died.
What is the history of the Alaskapox virus?
Alaskapox was first found in 2015 in the Fairbanks area. A few other people got it in the following years, but they got better without needing much treatment. The virus mostly lives in small animals like voles and squirrels. These animals probably gave it to people.
This man’s case is the first serious one and it happened far from where it was first found. This worries health experts because it means the virus might be spreading more than they thought.
Alaskapox doesn’t spread easily between people, but doctors still say to be careful. If someone has it or might have it, they should avoid touching others. Some people who are at high risk of getting very sick from the virus can get a special vaccine to help protect them.
It’s important for anyone who has strange sores or rashes to tell their doctor right away. This helps doctors find out if they have Alaskapox or something else and treat it quickly.
What is Alaskapox Virus?
Alaskapox is a virus that was first found in a man in the Fairbanks region of Alaska in 2015. Since then, there have been six more cases, all in people from the same area—one in 2020, two in 2021, one in 2022, and two in 2023, including the most recent one. Before the recent case, all the patients had mild symptoms like rashes and swollen lymph nodes, and they got better without needing much treatment. Scientists think that small animals like voles, flying squirrels, and other rodents in the area carry the virus and give it to people.
The latest case is the first time someone got very sick from Alaskapox in Alaska. It’s also the first case where the person had a weak immune system, had to go to the hospital, and unfortunately, passed away. This case happened outside of the Fairbanks area, which is worrying because it shows the virus might be spreading more than we thought.
How is the Alaskapox virus spread?
Alaskapox can spread in a few ways. In one case, a man who got very sick lived alone on the Kenai Peninsula and had a stray cat that scratched him. While the cat didn’t have Alaskapox, it’s possible that cats and dogs that hunt small animals might carry the virus on their claws and pass it to people when they scratch them. Researchers are studying this to understand more.
The man who got very sick had a weak immune system, which might have made his case worse. The virus he had was different from previous ones found in Alaska, but experts don’t think it’s more dangerous. Still, they’re worried because his case happened far from where others were found, suggesting the virus might be spreading.
To understand where the virus is, scientists are trapping and testing small rodents in areas where cases have been reported. They’ll also test animals in other places, like the Kenai Peninsula, to see if the virus is there too.
While Alaskapox hasn’t spread from person to person, it’s important for anyone who thinks they have it to avoid touching others and get tested quickly. Some people, like healthcare workers who might have been exposed, can get a vaccine to help protect them from getting very sick.
Even though Alaskapox is rare, health officials say it’s essential for anyone with strange rashes or sores to tell their doctor right away. This helps doctors find out if it’s Alaskapox or something else and treat it as needed.
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