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Emergence of Alaskapox Infection: What Dermatologists Need to Know
abstract
This abstract is available on the publisher's site.
Access this abstract now Full Text Available for ClinicalKey SubscribersEmerging zoonotic infections are increasingly observed globally as a result of urbanization, deforestation, ecosystem disruption, climate change, migration, travel, and global trade. Because many zoonoses have cutaneous manifestations, enhanced recognition of these infectious diseases by dermatologists is paramount in early identification and treatment.
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Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Emergence of Alaskapox infection: What dermatologists need to know
J Am Acad Dermatol 2024 Apr 02;[EPub Ahead of Print], ER ParkerFrom MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Alaskapox virus (AKPV) is a novel Orthopoxvirus, first identified in 2015. A total of seven cases of AKPV infection have been reported to public health authorities in Alaska. In January 2024, AKPV infection led to the death of an elderly male with a history of drug-induced immunosuppression from cancer treatment. This fatal AKPV infection case received wide press coverage by The New York Times, CNN, and other media outlets.
This study and the article recently published by our group summarize the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of known AKPV infection cases and also present recommendations for the prevention and management of AKPV infection.1 Most cases of AKPV infection involve mild and self-limited disease, with skin lesions, lymphadenopathy, and constitutional symptoms. The suspected reservoirs for AKPV are northern red-backed voles and shrews. Several patients reported contact with cats and/or dogs. No human-to-human transmission of AKPV has been documented. Supportive care measures are appropriate for mild AKPV infection cases. In immunocompromised patients and patients with severe symptoms, consider the use of antivirals (brincidofovir and tecovirimat) and vaccinia immune globulin intravenous. For close patient contacts at a high risk, discuss post-exposure prophylaxis with the JYNNEOS vaccine.
Dermatologists should consider AKPV infection in their differential diagnosis when caring for patients presenting with pox-like skin lesions who reside in Alaska or have a history of recent travel to the Arctic region.
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