Alaska Pox: Causes, Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment

15 Feb 2024

Context: 

The health officials in Alaska have identified the first known death linked to a virus called Alaska Pox.

What is Alaska Pox?

  • Alaska Pox is a rare viral infection caused by an orthopoxvirus first identified in Fairbanks, Alaska in 2015. 
  • Impact: Less than 10 cases have been  reported so far, all linked to contact with small mammals like voles and shrews.
  • Geographical Spread: It was first discovered in the Fairbanks area of Alaska, but the more recent case occurred in the Kenai Peninsula.

Alaska Pox

  • Alaskapox Symptoms

    • Skin lesions (bumps/pustules) on face, hands, arms
    • Swollen lymph nodes, joint/muscle pain, fever, headache, fatigue
    • Mild in healthy people, can be more severe in immunocompromised.

Alaska Pox

  • Transmission

    • Exact mechanism unknown, likely through bites/scratches of infected small mammals
    • Possibly spread by domestic pets that catch/eat infected rodents
    • No evidence yet of human-to-human transmission, but possible via direct contact with lesions
  • Diagnosis & Treatment

    • No specific treatment or vaccine available
    • Supportive care for pain, wound care, preventing secondary infections
  • Prevention: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people keep a safe distance from wildlife and wash their hands after being outside. Avoiding contact with wild rodents and their habitats.
Also Read: Casgevy And Lyfgenia: CRISPR-Based Gene Therapies

News Source: Livemint

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

Archive Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

Know about Physics Wallah

Physics Wallah is an Indian online education platform, that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students of classes 6 to 12 and those preparing for JEE and NEET exams. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample papers, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers, which makes us a one-stop solution for all resources. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.

We Stand Out because

We successfully provide students with intensive courses by India's qualified & experienced faculties. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.

Our Key Focus Areas

Physics Wallah’s main focus is to create accessible learning experiences for students all over India. With courses like Lakshya, Udaan, Arjuna & many others, we have been able to provide a ready solution for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formulae to giving e-books of eminent authors, PW aims to provide reliable solutions for student prep.

What Makes Us Different

Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others.

Aiming for UPSC?

Download Our App

# #
Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">






    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.