An elderly man in the United States became the first patient to die from Alaskan pox, a disease related to smallpox. The disease was first discovered in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2015 and began with the thawing of permafrost on Alaska’s North Slope. Only seven cases have been reported since its discovery.
This virus, called AKPV, is transmitted to humans by rodents and causes a mild disease characterized by small skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes and muscle pain. , according to The Daily Telegraph. The deceased had a weak immune system and was being treated for cancer. When one of his skin became infected, complications arose that led to kidney failure and his death in January. It was isolated on Alaska’s remote Kenai Peninsula and may have contracted the disease after being scratched by a stray cat.
There is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission of Alaskan pox. However, health officials in Alaska recommend covering the skin with a bandage as a precaution. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also warns that pets such as cats and dogs can spread the disease.
Dr. Stathis Giotis, Research Scientist in the Department of Epidemiology at Imperial College London, highlighted the importance of learning more about our interactions with wildlife. Although the main route of transmission is still unclear, good hygiene practices, such as thorough hand washing, are important for preventing the disease.
Although Alaskan pox was discovered only nine years ago, it appears to have been in circulation for some time due to its low incidence, causing many diseases to go undiagnosed. This virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes measles, smallpox, and mpox, and highlights the importance of caution in treating infectious diseases.
