ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The first known fatal case of Alaskapox has been reported in an immunocompromised man from the Kenai Peninsula who was receiving treatment in Anchorage when he passed away in late January, according to state health officials.
The recently discovered Alaskapox virus, first identified in Alaska in 2015, comes from the same genus as smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox. It primarily affects small mammals like voles and shrews, and until now, had only resulted in mild infections, according to an Alaska Section of Epidemiology bulletin released on Friday.
The man’s case is notable not only because it is the first known fatal case of Alaskapox, but also because it marks the first reported instance of the virus outside of the Fairbanks area. State health officials believe that the man’s immunocompromised status may have contributed to the severity of his illness.
Prior to this fatal case, reports of Alaskapox infections involved relatively mild illness consisting of a localized rash and swollen lymph nodes, with individuals not requiring treatment. However, all previously reported cases involved individuals with healthy immune systems.
The man’s case has prompted state health officials to issue recommendations for medical providers to be more aware of Alaskapox virus symptoms, in light of the possibility that the virus may be more widespread in Alaska’s rodents and other small animals than previously thought.
Unfortunately, the exact cause of the man’s fatal case remains unclear. He had not traveled anywhere and lived in a remote location. It is possible that he contracted the virus from a stray cat that hunted small mammals and scratched him near the area where his symptoms first appeared.
The man sought medical care multiple times over six weeks before his symptoms worsened. He was then hospitalized on the Kenai Peninsula and later transferred to Anchorage where he tested positive for Alaskapox. Although his condition initially improved with treatment, he ultimately succumbed to kidney failure and other systemic declines.
State health officials are urging anyone with a lesion to cover it with a bandage and report any possible symptoms of Alaskapox to a medical provider. They also recommend practicing good hygiene when hunting and trapping, or when around pets that may come in contact with animals like voles or shrews. Additionally, the bulletin includes various recommendations to protect immunocompromised patients and staff when dealing with the virus.
This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ongoing vigilance and awareness, especially for those who may be more vulnerable to the effects of such infections.