What is it about the Alaska virus that is raising alarms in the United States?

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For nine years, Alaska health officials have been aware of an unusual virus that causes rare and relatively mild illnesses in the Fairbanks, Alaska, area. But a recent case in another part of the state, this time resulting in the death of a man, has once again directed attention to so-called Alaska smallpox.

What is Alaskan smallpox?

The virus that causes Alaskan smallpox belongs to a family of brick-shaped viruses that can infect animals and humans. These pathogens, known as orthopoxviruses, often cause skin lesions. Each has its own characteristics, and some are considered more dangerous than others.

Only six other cases of the virus have been reported to Alaska health officials since the first reported case in 2015. All of the affected people lived in the Fairbanks city area, more than 300 miles (483 kilometers) away. of the Kenai Peninsula, health authorities said. Photo: Instagram @abcnews | Photo: Instagram @abcnews

Smallpox is perhaps the most famous of those diseases, but other members of that family include camelpox, cowpox, horsepox, and mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.

Alaska smallpox was discovered in 2015 in a woman who lived near Fairbanks, Alaska. It has been found primarily in small mammals, such as red-backed voles and shrews. But pets, such as dogs and cats, can also carry the virus, health authorities say.

What are the symptoms of Alaskan smallpox?

People who get Alaska smallpox have developed one or more bumps or pustules on the skin, as well as muscle or joint pain and swollen lymph nodes.

Almost all patients had mild illnesses that cleared up without further medical care within a few weeks, but people with a weakened immune system could be at risk of more serious illness.

People who get Alaska smallpox have developed one or more bumps or pustules on the skin, as well as muscle or joint pain and swollen lymph nodes. | Photo: Getty Images

How is Alaskan smallpox spread?

No case has been documented in which it has been spread from one person to another. However, other viruses in the same family can spread when one person comes into contact with another person’s sores, so Alaska health officials recommend that infected people cover their sores.

What happened in the most recent case?

Alaska health officials are aware of seven people infected with Alaska smallpox virus since the pathogen was discovered, but the most recent case is the first known case of someone dying from the disease.

The elderly man, who lived on the Kenai Peninsula, was receiving treatment for cancer and his immune system was weakened by medications. In September he noticed a red ulcer under his right armpit and saw several doctors over the next two months for symptoms of fatigue and burning pain. He was hospitalized in November and died last month, according to the bulletin that state health authorities published a few days ago.

Alaska health officials are aware of seven people infected with Alaska smallpox virus since the pathogen was discovered, but the most recent case is the first known case of someone dying from the disease. | Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The man lived in a remote, wooded area and did not travel. He had suffered a scratch from a cat hunting small animals, and one of the scratches was in the armpit area, authorities said.

How can I protect myself and my pets?

That said, wild animals can pose a risk of infection. Health officials say the best ways to keep pets and family safe are to keep your distance and wash your hands after being outside. Likewise, wild animals should not be kept as pets.