An elderly man in the United States (U.S.) has died of Alaskapox and is believed to be the first victim of the disease recently discovered in Alaska.
He ended up in the hospital last November and died at the end of January. He suffered from cancer and had a weakened immune system, which could have contributed to the severity of the disease, officials announced,
Alaskan pox, better known by the acronym AKPV, is related to smallpox, cowpox and mpox. Symptoms of infection include a rash, swollen lymph nodes, and joint and muscle pain, the Guardian writes.
The first case of infection was recorded back in 2015, and since then only six cases have been reported to the health services. All those infected lived in the Fairbanks area, which is 300 miles from the Kenai Peninsula, where the man who died in January lived.
All those previously infected had mild forms of the disease and recovered without hospitalization.
Transmission of viruses from animals to humans
It is not yet known how AKPV is transmitted, but it is suspected that the virus could be of zootonic origin, i.e. that it can pass from animals to humans. There is said to be evidence of infection with the disease in several species of small mammals in the Fairbanks area, including a red-backed vole and at least one pet.
The man who died was taking care of a stray cat in his home, but it was negative for the virus. However, she regularly hunted small mammals and often scratched the man. It is suspected that the cat carried the virus on its claws and passed it on to the man when it scratched him.
In the official report on this case, it is stated that he had a scratch around his armpit where the first symptoms of infection were observed: Red lesions, i.e. a rash.
Officials say there have been no documented cases of the virus being transmitted to humans so far, but they have recommended that those who suspect they may have been infected with Alaska pox apply bandages to areas where they have rashes and lesions.
Authorities have urged Alaskans to be cautious in handling wild animals to avoid possible Alaskan pox infection, N1 writes.
E.Dz.
