Alaskapox Virus
The Alaskapox virus, first identified in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2015, is an orthopoxvirus causing skin lesions, muscle pain, and swollen lymph nodes. As of early 2024, seven cases have been reported, including the first fatal case on the Kenai Peninsula in January 2024. The victim, an immunocompromised man, died due to kidney failure with a possible link to Alaskapox. The virus is hypothesized to be transmitted from small animals, although specific transmission methods remain unclear. There’s no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The recent fatal case has heightened awareness and necessitates further research on the virus’s transmission and prevention.
