A Rare Encounter with Alaskapox
In a somber turn of events, an Alaska resident recently succumbed to the complications arising from Alaskapox, a rare and relatively unknown virus. This alarming incident, as reported by Alaska state public health officials, marks the first fatal case of an Alaskapox infection, shedding light on the potential severity of this enigmatic virus.
The origins of Alaskapox trace back to Fairbanks, Alaska, where it was initially identified in 2015 by the Alaska Department of Health. Since then, only seven cases have been reported in the state, according to the state health department. The recent fatality involved an elderly man who, unfortunately, was immunocompromised, heightening his vulnerability to severe illness.
A Glimpse into Alaskapox
“Alaskapox remains rare,” emphasizes Dr. Joe McLaughlin, state epidemiologist and chief of the Alaska Division of Public Health Section of Epidemiology. Despite its rarity, the clinical course for most individuals in contact with the virus is expected to be mild. Typically found in small animals, particularly voles and shrews, Alaskapox has not shown any evidence of human-to-human transmission, according to the Alaska State Department of Health.
Julia Rogers, Ph.D., an epidemic intelligence service officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), embedded with the Alaska Department of Health, reassures the public, stating, “There’s no evidence so far [of] person-to-person transmission for the cases that have been identified.”
Assessing the Risk
Given the limited instances and the generally mild nature of Alaskapox in healthy individuals, the risk to the general public remains low, as affirmed by John Brownstein, Ph.D., chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital and an ABC News medical contributor.
The deceased resident’s infection source remains uncertain. Living alone in a forested area, the individual reported caring for a stray cat, which tested negative for the virus. Dr. McLaughlin suggests a possible transmission route, speculating, “It could be that the cat was catching voles or shrews and eating them and then have viable virus in its claws, and that was the route of [infection], through a scratch.”
The Unfolding Tragedy
Over a six-week span, the patient sought medical attention for a lesion, receiving antibiotic treatment. As his condition deteriorated, hospitalization became inevitable. Tests sent to the CDC eventually identified the viral infection as Alaskapox, leading to the unfortunate demise of the patient a few weeks later.
“The most recent [fatal] case was in an elderly man that was immunocompromised, so his immune system was already not going to be able to handle infection,” highlights Rogers. As a precaution, Alaska public health officials urge doctors to familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of Alaskapox and consider testing for patients suspected of contracting the illness.
Vigilance and Precautions
Recognizing Lesions
For individuals developing lesions, the state health department advises refraining from touching them and ensuring they remain dry and covered. Practicing good hand hygiene and avoiding the sharing of cloth and linen with others are crucial preventive measures.
Wildlife Interaction
Those in regular contact with wildlife are urged to take extra precautions. Julia Rogers emphasizes, “There’s lots of things that you can pick up from wildlife animals, and just try to take the best precautions you can and be safe and hygienic with contact with them.”
Enhancing Awareness
Alaska public health officials emphasize the importance of awareness regarding the relatively new Alaskapox virus. As more clinicians become acquainted with the virus and its diagnostic procedures, it is anticipated that future cases will be identified more efficiently in the coming months and years.
Dr. McLaughlin asserts, “What we’re expecting is that over time, as more clinicians become not only aware that Alaskapox virus is out there, but also aware of what to look for and how to actually test for it, that we are going to see more Alaskapox diagnoses in the months and years ahead.”
Reflecting on the Tragedy
“The recent unfortunate death of an immunocompromised individual underscores the potential severity of Alaskapox in vulnerable populations, highlighting the critical need for heightened awareness and diagnostic readiness among health care providers,” stresses Dr. Brownstein.
He adds, “This case emphasizes the importance of monitoring wildlife diseases and their potential to impact human health, especially as human activities increasingly encroach on natural habitats.”
