The first man to die from a new virus identified in Alaska, Of the same genus as smallpox, He lived on the Kenai Peninsula. He was elderly and suffering from cancer, the treatments for which had weakened his immune system, according to what he said Report card It was issued last week by public health authorities, given the seriousness of the disease. The virus began to emerge through a skin infection in September 2023, followed by hospitalization in November and death in January 2024.
The virus was discovered in Alaska in 2015, and local health authorities call it… “Alaska pox“ (AKPV). according to Alaska Department of Health“The virus is likely to be more prevalent in populations of small mammals in Alaska,” after it was discovered in rodents (of the species Cleithrionomys gaberii), which are thought to be the main vectors, at least in pets. The rodent that was discovered infected with the disease is located in the city of Fairbanks, in the same North American state as the fatal victim, but about 483 kilometers from the Kenai Peninsula.
The six other people who were infected — but did not die — also lived in Fairbanks. The first human case dates back to 2015, and was discovered in a woman. So far, the seven cases are the only ones He was diagnosed With the virus in humans.
Symptoms of the disease range from skin lesions, such as bumps or scabs, to swollen lymph nodes and muscle or joint pain. The Alaska Department of Health recommends covering affected areas with a bandage.
To the newspaper New York timesJulia Rogers, An epidemiologist at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last Tuesday “There may have been cases in the past that we simply did not detect, because the symptoms are generally mild. However, there are no records that humans can spread the disease to each other, but studies suggest that animals transmit it to them.
Still according to New York a teamJoe McLaughlin, chief of the Alaska Office of Epidemiology, He asked not to be there “they Exaggerated“ By the population since the disease “This is rare“. WHe confirmed that all the victims so far had pets.
The person who died with the virus revealed to doctors that he was taking care of a stray cat in his home and that the animal often caught mice. Later, the cat scratched the man, especially in his right armpit, where a rash appeared a month later. The cat was later tested for viruses in… Orthobox virusThe gender to which he belongs “Alaska pox” – As well as human smallpox – The results were negative. However, experts believe transmission may have occurred there.
Text edited by Teresa Firmino
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