Alaska Pox

February 14, 2024

Alaska health officials have confirmed the first death from a recently discovered viral disease – Alaskapox.
The double-stranded-DNA virus comes from the same genus as smallpox, monkeypox and cowpox.
It was first identified in an adult in Fairbanks, Alaska in 2015.
It is most common in small mammals.
To date, no human-to-human transmission of Alaskapox virus has been documented.
Symptoms of Alaskapox may include one or more skin lesions (bumps or pustules) and other symptoms like swollen lymph nodes and joint and/or muscle pain.
Immunocompromised people might be at increased risk for more severe illness.