00:00 In Alaska, health officials have been monitoring an unusual virus for nine years, causing rare
00:09 yet mild illness in the Fairbanks area.
00:12 However, a recent case resulting in a tragic death elsewhere in the state has thrust the
00:18 so-called Alaska pox virus with the spotlight once again.
00:24 Alaska pox belongs to the family of brick-shaped viruses known as orthopoxviruses, capable
00:31 of infecting both animals and humans.
00:35 These viruses typically manifest as lasers or pox on the skin, each possessing unique
00:41 characteristics and varying levels of danger.
00:44 While smallpox is the most widely recognized, other members of this viral family include
00:50 camelpox, cowpox, horsepox and mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.
00:57 Discovered in 2015 in a woman residing near Fairbanks, Alaska, Alaska pox has primarily
01:04 been detected in small mammals like red-backed wolves and shrews.
01:09 However, health officials note that pets such as dogs and cats may also carry the virus.
01:16 Over the past nine years, seven individuals in Alaska have been infected with Alaska pox,
01:22 shedding light on this potential threat to public health.
01:27 Individuals affected by Alaska pox typically exhibit one or more skin bumps or pustules,
01:33 accompanied by symptoms such as joint or muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes.
01:38 While most patients experience mild illness that resolve spontaneously within a few weeks,
01:45 those with compromised immune systems face an increased risk of developing more severe
01:51 complications.
01:53 Officials suspect that Alaska pox spreads through contact with infected animals.
01:58 While there have been no documented cases of human-to-human transmission, similar viruses
02:04 within the same family can spread through contact with lesions.
02:09 Therefore, Alaska health officials advise individuals with Alaska pox lesions to cover
02:15 them with a bandage as a precautionary measure.
02:19 Alaska health officials have confirmed seven cases of Alaska pox infection since its discovery,
02:25 but the latest incident marks the first known fatality associated with the virus.
02:30 The deceased individual, an elderly man residing in the Kenai Peninsula, was undergoing cancer
02:36 treatment, resulting in a suppressed immune system due to medication.
02:41 In September, he observed a red sore under his right armpit, prompting multiple visits
02:47 to health care professionals over the following two months due to fatigue and burning pain.
02:53 Hospitalized in November, he succumbed to the illness last month, as reported in a bulletin
02:59 from Alaska public health officials.
03:02 Residing in a remote forested area and lacking travel history, the man had frequently encountered
03:08 a stray cat known for hunting small animals, sustaining multiple scratches, one of which
03:14 was in the vicinity of his armpit, according to officials.
03:18 While Alaska pox typically results in mild symptoms in most cases, health officials stress
03:24 the potential infection risks associated with wildlife.
03:29 To ensure the safety of pets and family members, it is advised to maintain a safe distance
03:35 from wildlife and practice proper hand hygiene after outdoor activities.
03:41 Additionally, attempting to domesticate wildlife as pets is strongly discouraged by health
03:47 authorities.
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