What exactly is Alaskapox? The first recorded human death from this newly-identified viral illness prompts concern — should we be worried?
An elderly man in Alaska, who had a weakened immune system, passed away from Alaskapox, officials report. This marks the first recorded death linked to the recently identified virus.
Discovered in 2015, there have been only seven documented cases of the virus, all believed to have been contracted from animals in Alaska. Experts note an increase in disease spillover events from animals to humans.
According to Dr. Rupert Kaul, an infectious disease clinician-researcher at the University of Toronto and the University Health Network, Canadians need not worry about this virus. It has never been detected in the country, and the average person in Toronto faces an exceedingly low to no risk of infection.
However, little is known about the virus, which is related to smallpox, cowpox, and the recent mpox (formerly known as monkeypox).
Here's what we know so far:
The first reported death from Alaskapox occurred in an elderly man who lived alone in the forested Kenai Peninsula. He was immunocompromised due to cancer treatments. The man reported caring for a stray cat that frequently scratched him, particularly near his right armpit.
A month later, in mid-September 2023, a large lesion appeared near the same armpit. Despite antibiotic therapy, his condition worsened, leading to hospitalization two months later. The infection restricted the motion of his right arm, causing severe burning pain. Smaller poxlike lesions later appeared across his body.
After analysis by the U.S. CDC, he was diagnosed with Alaskapox and received treatment. His cat tested negative for the virus. Despite intensive care over several weeks, the man experienced delayed wound healing, malnutrition, acute renal failure, and respiratory failure.
He passed away in late January 2024.
The understanding of Alaskapox is limited due to its recent identification and the few cases reported. According to Kaul, "we don't know very much about Alaska pox at all."
Scientists suggest that the virus belongs to the orthopox family, which includes smallpox and cowpox. It is likely transmitted from animals to humans, though the specific animals responsible remain unknown. Red-backed voles have been commonly detected with the virus, according to the Alaskan department of health.
The geographic distribution of the virus is also uncertain, but Kaul mentioned that Canadians are likely safe, as all recorded cases have occurred in Alaska.
Even if the virus were to spread to Canada, Kaul reassured that people with healthy immune systems are likely to be fine. "The first six cases were relatively mild," he stated.
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital, highlighted the uncertainty about the disease's symptoms due to the limited number of cases. However, based on knowledge of other orthopoxes, we can expect "systemic symptoms," ranging from feeling generally unwell to experiencing fever.
Bogoch noted that a characteristic rash with pox-like lesions may appear later on the skin. People with underlying health conditions, such as compromised immune systems, are more likely to experience severe manifestations of the virus.
As for the potential of Alaskapox becoming the next epidemic or pandemic, Bogoch expressed skepticism. "I would say it's extremely unlikely," he continued, emphasizing that there are other zoonotic infections with a higher likelihood of causing larger outbreaks, including epidemics and pandemics.