An elderly Alaskan resident has tragically died from complications of Alaskapox, a relatively new and rare virus, according to a bulletin released by Alaska state public health officials. The virus was first identified in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2015, and since then, there have been a total of seven reported cases in the state.

This marks the first-ever reported case of an Alaskapox infection resulting in hospitalization and death. The patient, an elderly immunocompromised man, was at a higher risk for severe illness due to his compromised immune system. State public health officials have emphasized that Alaskapox remains a rare occurrence and that the majority of people who come into contact with the virus will likely experience a mild clinical course.

Alaskapox is primarily found in small animals, such as voles and shrews, and there have been no reports of human-to-human transmission thus far. The risk of transmission to the general public is considered low, given the rarity of the virus and its typically mild course in healthy individuals.

The exact source of the deceased resident's infection remains unclear. The individual lived alone in a forested area and had reported caring for a stray cat, which ultimately tested negative for the virus. Dr. Joe McLaughlin, the state epidemiologist and chief of the Alaska Division of Public Health Section of Epidemiology, speculates that the infection may have been transmitted through a scratch, as the cat could have caught voles or shrews with viable virus in its claws.

The patient sought medical attention over a six-week period, visiting his doctor and the local emergency room for a lesion, for which he was prescribed antibiotic drugs. As his condition worsened, he was hospitalized, and further tests sent to the CDC confirmed the viral infection as Alaskapox. Sadly, he succumbed to the virus a few weeks later.

Public health officials in Alaska are urging doctors to familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of Alaskapox and consider testing patients who may have contracted the illness. Those who regularly come into contact with wildlife are advised to take extra precautions and maintain hygienic practices.

By raising awareness about this relatively new virus, Alaska health officials hope that potential future cases can be identified more easily. They anticipate that as more clinicians become aware of Alaskapox and how to test for it, diagnoses of the virus will increase in the months and years ahead.

This tragic incident underscores the severity of Alaskapox in vulnerable populations, specifically those who are immunocompromised. Heightened awareness and diagnostic readiness among healthcare providers are crucial in tackling this emerging threat. Additionally, it highlights the importance of monitoring wildlife diseases and their potential impact on human health, particularly as human activities increasingly encroach on natural habitats.

Authorities in Alaska will continue to track and study Alaskapox in order to better understand and manage this rare virus.