ALASKA POX

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/what-is-alaskapox-alaska-reports-first-fatal-case-of-viral-disease-101707705114005.html

Context: An elderly man from Alaska became the first person to die after contracting Alaska Pox, a rare viral disease discovered in 2015.

Alaskapox

• Alaskapox is a new and rare virus that belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, which includes smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox.
• It was first identified in a patient in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2015. Since then, only seven cases have been reported in the state, all of them in people who had contact with small animals such as voles and shrews.
• Recently, an elderly man in Alaska became the first person to die from complications of Alaskapox infection.

What are the Symptoms of Alaskapox?

• The main symptom of Alaskapox is one or more skin lesions (bumps or pustules) that usually appear on the face, hands, or arms. The lesions may be painful or itchy and can last for several weeks.
• Other symptoms may include swollen lymph nodes, joint or muscle pain, fever, headache, or fatigue.
• The symptoms are usually mild in healthy people but can be more severe in people who have weakened immune systems, such as the elderly or those with chronic diseases.

How is Alaskapox transmitted?

• The exact source and mode of transmission of Alaskapox are still unknown, but current evidence suggests that the virus primarily occurs in small mammals, especially red-backed voles and shrews. These animals may carry the virus without showing any signs of illness and may infect humans through bites, scratches, or contact with their saliva or faeces.
• Domestic pets (cats and dogs) may also play a role in spreading the virus if they catch and eat infected rodents or have contact with their remains.
• There is no evidence so far of human-to-human transmission of Alaska Pox, but it is possible that direct contact with skin lesions could transmit the virus.

How is Alaskapox diagnosed and treated?

• Alaskapox can be difficult to diagnose based on clinical symptoms alone. Laboratory tests are needed to confirm the infection and rule out other causes of skin lesions, such as bacterial infections or other orthopoxviruses.
• There is no specific treatment or vaccine for AlaskaPox. The infection usually resolves on its own without complications in most cases. However, some patients may need supportive care for pain relief, wound care, or prevention of secondary infections.
• The best way to prevent Alaskapox is to avoid contact with wild rodents or their habitats.

Conclusion

• AlaskaPox is a rare but potentially serious virus that can cause skin lesions and other symptoms in humans. It is mainly transmitted by small mammals such as voles and shrews. The infection is usually mild in healthy people but can be fatal in immunocompromised people. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Alaska Pox. The best way to prevent it is to avoid contact with wild rodents or their habitats.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements in the context of the Alaskapox. 1. It primarily spreads through close contact with infected individuals or their lesions. 2. Zoonotic transmission from rodents like red-backed voles is suspected. 3. Airborne transmission is considered a major route of spread. 4. Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare. How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) Only three D) All four Answer: C Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: Alaskapox is a type of orthopoxvirus that causes skin lesions and systemic symptoms in humans. It is transmitted through direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes of infected people or their lesions, or contact with contaminated objects or fomites. Statement 2 is correct:  Alaskapox was first identified in 2015 in two people from Alaska who had contact with rodents, specifically red-backed voles. The virus was also detected in a red-backed vole from the same area where one of the human cases occurred. Therefore, it is suspected that rodents are the natural reservoirs of Alaskapox and that they can transmit the virus to humans through bites, scratches, or exposure to their urine or faeces. Statement 3 is incorrect: There is no evidence that Alaskapox can be transmitted through the air, unlike some other orthopoxviruses such as smallpox or monkeypox. The virus has not been isolated from respiratory specimens of human cases, and there have been no reports of secondary transmission among close contacts of infected individuals. Statement 4 is correct: Human-to-human transmission of Alaskapox has not been documented at all. The virus seems to have a low infectivity and virulence in humans, and the risk of transmission is likely reduced by the use of standard precautions and infection control measures.