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Zoonotic virus -

Alaskapox, or AKPV, is a zoonotic virus that affects mainly small mammals, such as red-backed voles and shrews, in the state of Alaska.

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Species of Orthopox virus -

It is a species of the Orthopoxvirus, other variations of which include Camelpox, Cowpox, Horsepox, and Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox).

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Appearing in humans -

Alaskapox appears mainly to affect small mammals, but since 2015 there have been several documented cases of the virus infecting humans.

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Symptoms -

In humans, the virus appears to cause skin lesions, as well as swollen lymph nodes and muscle or joint pain.

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First case -

The first human case of Alaskapox was detected in 2015 in a woman who lived near Fairbanks, Alaska (hence the current name of the virus).

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First case -

Doctors diagnosed the woman with Alaskapox after she went to seek treatment for a localized rash and swollen lymph nodes.

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First death -

As of January 2024, another six people were diagnosed with the virus. The most recent of those six was an elderly man from Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, who sadly died while undergoing treatment.

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First death -

According to Sky News, the patient first spotted a red bump in his armpit in September 2023. He was given antibiotics, but his symptoms worsened.

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Fatal case -

He was transferred to a hospital and started treatment after testing positive for Cowpox. Nonetheless, he died in January 2024 after experiencing multiple systemic declines.

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Complications -

According to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, the man was being treated for cancer at the time he contracted the virus, and the severity of his illness was likely due to his having a suppressed immune system.

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Geographical spread -

So far, all the documented cases of this virus in humans have been in the state of Alaska, and officials are yet to comment on the possibility of it spreading outside the state.

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How it is spread -

What we do know is that the virus is primarily, if not uniquely, spread to humans via contact with infected animals.

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Human to human? -

That is to say, there has been no documented case of Alaskapox spreading from one human to another.  

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Caveat -

Viruses in the same family, however, can spread via contact with the lesions of an infected person.

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General advice -

As a precaution, therefore, health officials in Alaska are advising anyone with a suspected Alaskapox lesion to cover it with a bandage.

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Symptoms -

According to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, symptoms of the virus can include skin lesions, a rash, swollen lymph nodes, and joint or muscle pain.

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When to see a doctor -

At the moment, the general recommendation in Alaska is to visit your doctor if you have a lesion that looks like it could be Alaskapox.

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Potential complications -

This is even more important for anybody who has an underlying medical condition or may be immunocompromised, since this can carry a higher risk of serious infection.

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General advice -

According to one doctor from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, it is a good idea to visit your doctor if you have these symptoms, even if you haven’t been to Alaska.

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Possibility of Smallpox -

His thinking is that the symptoms could also indicate an infection with Smallpox, which would also need to be diagnosed and treated.

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Treatment -

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services does not yet have any information that is publicly available about the treatment process for this virus.

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No treatment needed -

Indeed, most people diagnosed so far experienced a mild illness and recovered on their own after a few weeks without the need for treatment.

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Antivirals -

That said, when it comes to treating other, similar viruses, such as Smallpox and Mpox, the treatment usually involves administering antiviral drugs.

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Antivirals -

The older man who was infected with the virus was treated with antiviral medication and antibodies, which led to a reduction in his rash.

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Complications -

Indeed, his condition improved around one week into the therapy, but then he started to suffer from delayed wound healing and respiratory and kidney failure, which ultimately resulted in his death.

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How to protect yourself and others -

When it comes to protecting yourself against Alaskapox, the general advice from officials is to keep your distance from wildlife. Do not keep any stray animals as pets.

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Wash your hands -

It is also a good idea to wash your hands each time you come in from being outdoors.

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Keep lesions covered -

If you do find a lesion, be sure to keep it covered and dry. Do not touch it, and always seek medical attention.

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Do not share linens -

Officials also recommend avoiding sharing any bedding or other linens that may have come into contact with the lesion.

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Be cautious with pets -

Finally, although there is currently no evidence of domestic pets showing symptoms of Alaskapox, be sure to visit the vet if your pet does present with a lesion or open wound.

Sources: (Sky News) (The New York Times) (AARP)

See also: Virus alert: the symptoms and causes of congenital cytomegalovirus

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