What Is Alaskapox, Alaska's First Fatal Case Of Viral Disease?

According to the state health officials, an elderly man on the Kenai Peninsula had succumbed to Alaskapox, on Friday, marking him as the first person to be fatally affected by the viral disease identified just nine years ago.

This occurrence not only represents the initial fatal human case but also marks the first documented human infection outside of the Fairbanks area. This suggests that the virus, typically harboured by small mammals, has extended its reach beyond the wildlife populations in that Interior community, reported Alaska Beacon.

Elderly Man on Kenai Peninsula Succumbs to Viral Disease

According to a bulletin issued by the state Division of Public Health's epidemiology section, signs of the infection were first reported by the patient in September when a tender lesion appeared in his armpit area. The patient, whose immune system was compromised due to cancer treatment, experienced worsening of the infection, as per the local media outlet.

After six weeks of emergency-care visits, he was locally hospitalized as the situation deteriorated and his arm movement became impaired. Subsequently, he was transferred to an Anchorage hospital, where numerous tests were required to identify the infection, as stated in the bulletin.

Despite receiving treatment, the patient suffered from renal failure, respiratory failure, malnutrition, and other issues, according to the bulletin. His demise occurred in late January, as mentioned in the bulletin.

What is Alaskapox?

Alaskapox is a disease caused by a virus within the orthopox group, which also includes more dangerous viruses responsible for monkeypox and smallpox. Like other orthopox viruses, the Alaskapox virus is maintained and spread by populations of small mammals, particularly voles, which are abundant in Alaska.

History of Alaskapox Infections

The first human case of Alaskapox infection was detected in 2015 in the Fairbanks area. Subsequent cases emerged in 2020, 2021, 2022, and the previous year, with the recent case on the Kenai Peninsula marking the seventh identified instance, reported Alaska Beacon.

Characteristics of Previous Cases

Prior cases primarily involved patients from the Fairbanks area living in wooded environments. Additionally, contact with household pets, particularly cats or dogs that interacted with small mammals, was a common factor in these cases.

Severity of Infections

Until the recent fatality, documented Alaskapox infections in humans were relatively mild, typically manifesting as rashes, fevers, and fatigue. Previous patients received outpatient treatment and experienced mild illnesses, usually resolving within a few weeks without hospitalization.

Potential Sources of Infection

The Kenai Peninsula patient, like those from Fairbanks, resided in a forested region and may have had indirect contact with small mammals in the wild. For instance, caring for a stray cat that potentially hunted these mammals could have been a source of exposure.

Alaskapox and Zoonotic Diseases

Alaskapox, similar to monkeypox, belongs to a category of zoonotic diseases that can spread between animal species, including humans. The emergence of such diseases underscores the interconnectedness of human and wildlife health.

Understanding the Environmental Presence

The duration of Alaskapox's presence in the environment remains unclear. However, indications suggest that it has been circulating among populations of small mammals for decades.

Research Efforts and Findings

Previously, wildlife disease research primarily focused on large mammals rather than small animals like voles. However, after the identification of the first Alaskapox case in 2015, researchers began broader testing of small mammals in the Fairbanks area, revealing evidence of infection in these animals.

Discovery and Testing Program at the University of Alaska Museum of the North

In a recent development, Link Olson, curator of mammals at the University of Alaska Museum of the North, announced the discovery of the Alaskapox virus in a 25-year-old vole specimen from the museum's collection. This revelation has shed light on the existence of Alaskapox in the environment for a considerable period, prompting further investigation into its prevalence and spread.

Collaborating with the state epidemiology section and other institutions, the museum has launched a comprehensive testing program utilizing its extensive collection of Alaska animal specimens. Additionally, plans are underway for fieldwork aimed at trapping small mammals in the wild, pending favourable weather conditions, as reported by Alaska Beacon,

Olson expressed concerns regarding the potential reach of Alaskapox, suggesting that the virus may extend beyond the state's borders and even beyond North America. He anticipates that the virus could be detected across the boreal forest region, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and research efforts.

Biologist Falk Huettmann from the University of Alaska Fairbanks echoed these sentiments, advocating for a proactive approach to disease research. He speculated that Alaskapox may have been circulating undetected in the wild for years, underscoring the urgency of understanding its transmission dynamics among small mammals.

Huettmann also highlighted the challenges hindering disease research, including resource constraints and outdated perspectives. He called for enhanced collaboration among healthcare providers, localized monitoring initiatives, and laboratory experiments to better comprehend Alaskapox and its variants, as per local media reports.

Moreover, Huettmann emphasized the crucial role of small mammals in disease transmission, citing examples such as hantavirus spread by mice and bubonic plague by squirrels. He stressed the importance of adapting to evolving diseases like Alaskapox, urging a departure from traditional research approaches.

Furthermore, Huettmann suggested a correlation between Alaskapox exposure and the state's outdoor traditions, particularly in regions like Fairbanks where outdoor activities are prevalent. He advocated for a paradigm shift in disease research, advocating for a more open-minded and proactive approach to address emerging health threats like Alaskapox.