An elderly man has died from Alaskapox, the first known fatality from the virus which was recently discovered, officials have said.
The patient, who lived in the remote Kenai Peninsula, was taken to hospital in November last year but sadly died in late January, public health officials have confirmed.
He was undergoing cancer treatment and had a suppressed immune system because of the treatment. According to a bulletin released last week, the drugs may have contributed to the severity of his illness. Officials described the man as elderly but did not state his age.
Alaskapox, or AKPV, is related to cowpox, smallpox and mpox.
Known symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, a rash, and joint or muscle pain. Only six other cases of the virus have been reported since the first one was recorded in 2015. Health officials added those living in the Fairbanks area – 300 miles from Kenai Peninsula – were involved.
Mild cases have seen patients recover without needing to go to hospital.
Officials added the man who passed away “resided alone in a forested area and reported no recent travel and no close contacts with recent travel, illness, or similar lesions.”
It’s not known how Alaskapox is transmitted from person to person, but researchers say it may be able to jump from animals to humans. Tests have found evidence of current or previous infection in small mammals in Fairbanks, including at least one domestic pet and red-backed voles.
The bulletin added the man had cared for a stray cat in his home, which tested negative for the virus. However, it continued that the cat “regularly hunted small mammals and frequently scratched the patient”.
There was a ‘notable’ scratch near the armpit area of the patient where the first symptom was seen – a red lesion. This has opened up the possibility the cat had carried the virus on its claws when it scratched him.
Officials clarified there have not yet been documented cases of humans passing on the virus to other people, but have recommended anyone with skin lesions to cover the area with a bandage. Other advice includes washing hands thoroughly, avoiding sharing clothing that may have touched lesions and laundering clothes and sheets separately from other items.
Authorities also urged Alaskans to follow precautions around wildlife to avoid potential infection.
