Six Cases of Borealpox and Evidence of a Zoonotic Source-Alaska, 2020-2023.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Borealpox virus (previously known as Alaskapox virus) is an Orthopoxvirus species first identified in a patient living near Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2015; the source of the patient's infection was unknown. Six additional borealpox cases have been identified through 2023.

Methods

We conducted interviews to ascertain travel history and potential exposures for the six patients, trapped small mammals for orthopoxvirus testing, and performed a phylogenetic analysis of viral DNA sequences.

Results

Five patients had similar clinical illness, consisting of at least one lesion and, in most cases, lymphadenopathy. One patient with underlying immunosuppression experienced severe illness, hospitalization, and died despite receiving investigational orthopoxvirus therapeuti

SUBMITTER: Mooring EQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12756550 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature