smallpox

What is Alaskapox? Recent death brings attention to virus seen in small animals

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NEW YORK — For nine years, Alaska health officials have been aware of an unusual virus causing rare, relatively mild illnesses in the Fairbanks area. But a recent case in another part of the state — this one resulting in a man’s death — has brought new attention to the so-called Alaskapox virus. Here’s some … Read more

Elderly Alaska man is first reported person to die of recently discovered Alaskapox virus

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An elderly man has died from Alaskapox, the first known fatality from the recently discovered virus, state health officials said. The man, who lived in the remote Kenai Peninsula, was hospitalized last November and died in late January, according to a bulletin last week from Alaska public health officials. The man was … Read more

Man dies from mysterious ‘Alaskapox’ disease – first-ever victim of rare illness

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A virus first discovered in 2015 has just claimed its first victim near Alaska’s largest city. An unidentified immunocompromised man died from “Alaskapox” in late January. He lived in the woods of the Kenai Peninsula by himself, and it’s unclear how he contracted the virus. Alaskapox – from the same genus as smallpox and monkeypox … Read more