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Mpox Returns to Alaska: First Case Since 2023 Confirmed
23 Dec
Summary
- First mpox case in Alaska since 2023 confirmed in Anchorage.
- Patient was unvaccinated, traveled to an mpox-endemic region.
- Health officials alert close contacts and monitor for spread.
Alaska has reported its first mpox case since 2023, with the confirmation of an infection in Anchorage. The affected individual, who was unvaccinated, had recently traveled to a region where the virus is endemic, according to health officials. This case involves Clade II, a strain known for its milder presentation and which caused a significant outbreak in 2022.
While initial assessments indicate no local community spread, health authorities have proactively notified close contacts and are implementing stringent monitoring protocols. Mpox is transmitted through close physical contact, and symptoms typically include flu-like illness followed by a distinctive rash. Vaccination is available and can be administered post-exposure.
The confirmation in Alaska aligns with ongoing global concerns about mpox, which has resulted in over 100,000 cases worldwide. Health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low, but urge healthcare practitioners to remain vigilant for potential mpox symptoms resembling other common conditions.
