An elderly man has died from a severe case of the Alaskapox virus, the first human fatality linked to this rare virus, which was previously associated with mild illness in animals and humans. The virus belongs to the family of viruses that causes smallpox and was first detected in an adult near Fairbanks in 2015. By December 2023, seven cases had been reported in the Fairbanks area, with symptoms including rash, swollen lymph nodes, and pain. The man who died had a compromised immune system due to cancer treatment and lived in a forested area, caring for a stray cat that may have been a source of infection. The virus primarily occurs in small mammals but has also been found in domestic pets. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, but health officials recommend using bandages to cover skin lesions possibly caused by Alaskapox.
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Know All About The Rare Virus That Claimed A Life In US
