"Remote Woodlands Resident Succumbs to Rare Alaskapox Virus"

An elderly man living alone in rural Alaska has become the first casualty of 'Alaskapox', a rare disease identified only nine years ago. The man, who was immunocompromised due to cancer treatment, died in late January after contracting the virus, which has previously only affected six other individuals in Alaska. The source of his infection remains unclear, but it is suspected to have spread from local wildlife populations to local communities. Efforts are ongoing to test small mammals in the region for the virus.