An elderly man from Alaska’s remote Kenai Peninsula has tragically become the first person to die from Alaskapox, a recently discovered virus closely related to dangerous human pathogens like smallpox and mpox. Health officials have confirmed the death and are urging doctors to remain vigilant for signs of the virus.
The man’s case is particularly concerning as he is one of only seven known individuals to have contracted the Alaskapox virus since its initial discovery in a patient from Fairbanks in 2015. Typically, infection with the virus causes mild illness that resolves itself, with symptoms including skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes, and joint or muscle pain. However, individuals with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to severe disease.
In this case, the elderly man had a compromised immune system due to cancer treatment, which likely contributed to his more serious illness. Previous patients infected with Alaskapox did not require hospital treatment. The exact mode of transmission for the virus is still unknown, but evidence suggests that it is zoonotic, meaning it jumps from animals to humans. The virus is primarily found in small mammals like red-backed voles and shrews.
Health officials have stated that it remains unclear how the man was infected, but he reported caring for a stray cat at his home that frequently hunted small mammals and scratched him. This interaction could have potentially transmitted the virus. While there have been no documented cases of human-to-human transmission of Alaskapox, officials recommend covering any skin lesions caused by the virus, as contact with these lesions can spread similar orthopoxviruses like mpox and smallpox.
The first fatal case of Alaskapox outside of the Fairbanks region suggests that the virus may be more widely distributed in animals than previously thought. The fact that the man lived alone in a forested area and had no recent travel or close contacts with similar illnesses or travel indicates a broader presence of the virus. However, health officials emphasize that this incident does not warrant alarm but rather increased awareness among clinicians statewide.
In response to the death, scientists from Alaska’s health department have issued nine recommendations. These include keeping lesions covered, maintaining good hygiene practices, and potentially prescribing antiviral drugs to patients with compromised immune systems who have contracted the virus.
Alaskapox belongs to the family of orthopoxviruses, which includes several viruses known to infect and cause disease in humans. The most well-known member of this family is variola, or smallpox, a highly fatal disease that has been eradicated. Other orthopoxvirus species include vaccinia (used for the smallpox vaccine), cowpox, camelpox, horsepox, volepox, and mpox. Monkeypox, now referred to as mpox, gained global attention two years ago when it spread primarily among sexual networks of men who have sex with men. Routine vaccination against mpox is recommended for at-risk adults, and although the virus has diminished in wealthy countries, it continues to cause outbreaks in parts of Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As scientists continue to investigate Alaskapox and its transmission, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to remain vigilant and follow the recommended guidelines. By staying informed and taking necessary precautions, we can help prevent the further spread of this potentially dangerous virus.
