Health officials are warning the public about a rare virus known as Alaskapox, following the death of an elderly man who contracted the virus. Alaskapox, similar to smallpox and monkeypox, is an orthopoxvirus typically found in small mammals. Although this virus has been previously identified in animals, it is extremely rare in humans.
The recent fatality occurred in an elderly man with a weakened immune system. It is believed that he may have been infected while caring for a stray cat that frequently scratched him. This marks the seventh reported case of Alaskapox in humans, with previous cases primarily located in the Fairbanks area of Alaska. Fortunately, no instances of the virus have been found outside of Alaska.
