Recent Death Brings Attention to Alaskapox Virus
2024-02-18
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1Health officials in the American state of Alaska have known for nine years about a virus causing rare, mild illness.
2But a recent case that resulted in a man's death has brought new attention to what is being called the Alaskapox virus.
3Here's some background on the virus:
4Alaskapox belongs to the family of orthopoxviruses that can infect animals and humans.
5These viruses usually cause lesions, or pox, on the skin. Some are more dangerous than others.
6Smallpox is the best-known member of the orthopoxvirus family.
7Others include camelpox, cowpox, horsepox and mpox (formerly known as monkeypox).
8Alaskapox was discovered in 2015 in a woman who lived near Fairbanks, Alaska.
9It mainly has been found in small mammals, including red-backed voles and shrews.
10But house animals, such as dogs and cats, can carry the virus, health officials say.
11Seven people in Alaska have become infected with it in the last nine years.
12People with Alaskapox have developed one or more bumps on the skin.
13They also experience joint, or muscle pain and swollen parts of the body called lymph nodes.
14Nearly all patients had mild sickness that went away after a few weeks.
15But people with weak immune systems can be at risk of more severe sickness.
16Officials believe Alaskapox spreads through contact with infected animals.
17There has been no documented case of it spreading from one person to another.
18But other viruses in the same family can spread when one person comes in contact with another person's lesions.
19So, Alaskan health officials are advising anyone with an Alaskapox lesion to cover it with a bandage.
20Alaska health officials say there have been seven people infected with Alaskapox since the virus was discovered.
21But the latest case represents the first time someone is known to have died from it.
22The older man lived on the Kenai Peninsula.
23He was being treated for cancer and had a suppressed immune system because of the drugs.
24In September, he found a red sore under his right armpit and saw doctors over the next two months because of tiredness and burning pain.
25Alaska public health officials said he was hospitalized in November and died last month.
26The man lived in a forested area away from any town and did not travel.
27They said he had been repeatedly scratched by a cat that hunted small animals, and one of the scratches was in the area of the man's armpit, officials said.
28Health officials believe that Alaskapox is rare.
29That said, wildlife can carry infection risks and should not be kept at home.
30The best way to keep pets and family members safe is to keep a safe distance and wash your hands after being outdoors.
31I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1Health officials in the American state of Alaska have known for nine years about a virus causing rare, mild illness. But a recent case that resulted in a man's death has brought new attention to what is being called the Alaskapox virus. 2Here's some background on the virus: 3What is Alaskapox? 4Alaskapox belongs to the family of orthopoxviruses that can infect animals and humans. These viruses usually cause lesions, or pox, on the skin. Some are more dangerous than others. 5Smallpox is the best-known member of the orthopoxvirus family. Others include camelpox, cowpox, horsepox and mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). 6Alaskapox was discovered in 2015 in a woman who lived near Fairbanks, Alaska. It mainly has been found in small mammals, including red-backed voles and shrews. But house animals, such as dogs and cats, can carry the virus, health officials say. 7Seven people in Alaska have become infected with it in the last nine years. 8People with Alaskapox have developed one or more bumps on the skin. They also experience joint, or muscle pain and swollen parts of the body called lymph nodes. 9Nearly all patients had mild sickness that went away after a few weeks. But people with weak immune systems can be at risk of more severe sickness. 10Officials believe Alaskapox spreads through contact with infected animals. 11There has been no documented case of it spreading from one person to another. But other viruses in the same family can spread when one person comes in contact with another person's lesions. 12So, Alaskan health officials are advising anyone with an Alaskapox lesion to cover it with a bandage. 13What happened in the latest case? 14Alaska health officials say there have been seven people infected with Alaskapox since the virus was discovered. But the latest case represents the first time someone is known to have died from it. 15The older man lived on the Kenai Peninsula. He was being treated for cancer and had a suppressed immune system because of the drugs. In September, he found a red sore under his right armpit and saw doctors over the next two months because of tiredness and burning pain. Alaska public health officials said he was hospitalized in November and died last month. 16The man lived in a forested area away from any town and did not travel. They said he had been repeatedly scratched by a cat that hunted small animals, and one of the scratches was in the area of the man's armpit, officials said. 17How to protect yourself? 18Health officials believe that Alaskapox is rare. 19That said, wildlife can carry infection risks and should not be kept at home. The best way to keep pets and family members safe is to keep a safe distance and wash your hands after being outdoors. 20I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 21Mike Stobbe reported this story for the Associated Press. Hai Do adapted it for VOA Learning English. 22____________________________________________ 23Words in This Story 24lesion -n. a painful or infected area on the skin 25swollen -adj. larger than usual because of sickness or damage 26mild -adj. not serious, not causing a lot of difficulty or pain 27immune system -n. the system of cells and substances used by the body to fight infection and sickness 28scratch -v. to come into contact with something sharp, like a cat's claw, which causes a thin narrow cut 29We want to hear from you. 30Our comment policy is here.