Alaska -

Elderly man first person to die from Alaskapox virus

February 12, 2024February 12, 2024Arsen Mayer

An elderly man was the first victim to die from the Alaskapox virus, Alaska’s health department said in a bulletin last Friday but clarified that the man died last month. The virus was first discovered in 2015 in a woman who lived near the city of Fairbanks and another six infections have since been reported […]

Polar bear dies due to bird flu for first time

January 4, 2024January 4, 2024Arsen Mayer

A polar bear was killed by H5N1, a highly pathogenic avian influenza, in Alaska in October in the first such case of a polar bear dying due to the virus, local media in Alaska reported last week. The polar bear was found in October in Utqiagvik, the northernmost community in Alaska. Dr. Bob Gerlach, Alaska’s […]