On February 9th, Alaska government officials revealed that a man died in January, 2024, after being infected with a fairly recently discovered virus called “Alaskapox.” The disease was first discovered in 2015, after a woman living in central Alaska contracted the virus. Soon after, multiple other cases were discovered. The disease is a part of the Orthopoxvirus family, which contains more well known viruses including monkeypox and smallpox. Alaskapox generally spreads to humans from small rodents, causing symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and skin ulcers. The fatal case from January is the first deadly case of this disease that has been reported. It is also the first known case of Alaskapox discovered outside of central Alaska.
The man who contracted this fatal case lived in a secluded area of Alaska, had not traveled recently, and also had no contact with any individuals who had traveled recently. It is unclear how he became infected. The man’s first symptom was a swollen ulcer on his right arm, which continued to grow. After the discovery of this ulcer, he was placed under intensive care from doctors, and was prescribed several rounds of antibiotics, which had no effect. He soon lost all movement in his right arm and described burning sensations throughout his body. These sensations were soon ascribed to several more ulcers that had formed on his skin. The man’s ulcers rejected treatment and he soon became malnourished, experienced kidney failure, and respiratory failure, all of which led to his death.
It is important to note that all reported cases of Alaskapox have been contracted by pet owners. Doctors suspect that these pets came into contact with Alaskapox infected rodents, and then spread the disease to their owners. It is unclear whether this disease can spread from person to person, however other diseases in the Orthopoxvirus family can be spread from person to person through contact with skin ulcers. The only reported cases of Alaskapox have been within Alaska, and the state is encouraging their doctors to be on high alert for symptoms of the disease within their patients.
