Alaskapox, the mysterious virus that has just killed a man

For several years, scientists and health professionals have been monitoring a rare virus known as “Alaskapox” (or “Alaskan smallpox”, in French), Science Alert informs us. The first case was diagnosed in 2015.

Until now, sick people had to deal with mild symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, inflammation of the lymph nodes and the appearance of pustules on the skin. “The virus usually disappears after a few weeks, but it can be more dangerous for people with weakened immune systems”Refers to the media.

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In late January, an elderly man became the first fatal case of Alaskapox. This was only the seventh patient to be identified, living on the Kenai Peninsula in southwest Alaska. He had a red bruise under his right armpit, accompanied by burning sensations. Experts believe that the fact that this patient was undergoing cancer treatment made his body more susceptible to the virus.

To clarify the gray areas

Oddly, the man was more than 300 miles away from the first case, which was reported in Fairbanks. Health experts concluded that Alaskapox was more widespread than they had previously thought. They recommend vigilance, especially for people with compromised immune systems.

The disease is not yet known, but based on the evidence gathered so far, it is transmitted by small mammals – specifically, voles and shrews. “Although humans can catch it from animals, there are no signs of human-to-human transmission.”ScienceAlert suggests.

Alaskapox is part of the orthopoxvirus family, which also includes smallpox. These viruses are classified by the way they cause lesions on the skin.

New recommendations from the Alaska Department of Health include making doctors more familiar with the characteristics of the virus and testing for it regularly. The Alaska Division of Public Health is also taking the situation seriously: “Further animal testing is underway to better understand the spread of the virus in Alaska’s animal population.”