What is Alaskapox? Know more about the virus, symptoms and precautions

In the first known fatal case of Alaskapox, a virus generally found in small mammals, an American man died last month as per the latest reports. The elderly man, whose symptoms began in September last year, was undergoing cancer treatment. It is unclear how he contracted the virus, though he lived alone in a forested area. He told health officials that he was caring for a stray cat and at times, the animal scratched him. However, the tests on the cat were negative. 

He had a painful red lesion on his shoulder that made it difficult to move his arm and the lesion wasn't responding to medicines either. He had four other sores too on other parts of the body, said doctors. He is the seventh known person to be infected with the disease but the first to require hospitalisation. Interestingly, health officials in Alaska knew of an unusual virus that's causing mild illnesses in the area, but the death has generated renewed interest in the virus. 

What is Alaskapox?
According to the health department website of Alaska, "Alaskapox virus is an orthopoxvirus that was first identified in a patient in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2015. Orthopoxviruses are known to infect mammals, including humans, and can lead to the development of skin lesions." The virus mainly occurs in small mammals. Interestingly, human-to-human transmission of the virus hasn't been observed yet, though some orthopoxviruses can spread with contact with lesions. 

What are its symptoms?
Skin lesions, one or more, and swollen lymph nodes and joints, plus muscle pains are the common symptoms of the infection. Some of its patients initially felt that it was an insect or spider bite. In most of the patients, the illness resolved itself in a few weeks. Immunocompromised people, like the man who was under cancer treatment, will be at an increased risk for it, says the website. 

Precautions
Avoid sharing beds or clothes with those who have lesions. Take photos of the lesionsAlso, if you have lesions, take photos of them for future medical purposes. After that, keep them covered and avoid touching them.