An elderly man from Alaska has become the first person to die after contracting Alaskapox.
The recently discovered viral disease is a double-stranded DNA virus which is believed to mainly circulate between mammals, occasionally transmitting to humans.
Symptoms include skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle pain.
The victim, from Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, was receiving treatment for the illness in hospital when he died in late January, the Alaskan health department confirmed.
The department added the man had a history of a drug-induced weakened immune system which likely contributed to the severity of his illness.
https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/11/elderly-man-confirmed-first-person-die-alaskapox-virus-20261224/