Top in ID: First Alaskapox death reported; elevated fatigue risk after COVID-19

The Alaska Department of Health recently reported the first death from Alaskapox, an orthopoxvirus that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

It was the seventh case of Alaskapox reported since the virus was first identified in 2015; it was also the first found outside of Fairbanks, Alaska.

“Because Alaskapox is a rare illness, Alaskans shouldn’t be overly concerned about this virus. However, they should be aware of the signs and symptoms and consult a health care provider if they have a suspicious rash,” Joseph McLaughlin, MD, MPH, chief epidemiologist at the State of Alaska Department of Health, told Healio.

It was the top story in infectious disease last week.

Another top story was about elevated chronic fatigue among people who had COVID-19.

Researchers from the CDC and the University of Washington found that the risk for chronic fatigue is four times more likely after COVID-19.

“The high incidence rates of fatigue reinforce the need for public health actions to prevent infections, to provide clinical care to those in need, and to find effective treatments for post–acute COVID-19 fatigue,” the researchers wrote.

Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:

First Alaskapox death reported, officials say residents ‘shouldn’t be overly concerned’

Health officials in Alaska have reported the first-ever death from Alaskapox, and although the disease may be wider spread than previously believed, experts say there is no evidence of risk outside of Alaska. Read more.

Study: Risk for chronic fatigue four times higher after COVID-19

COVID-19 may quadruple a person’s risk for chronic fatigue, new study findings suggest. Read more.

COVID-19 increases insomnia risk in people with anxiety, depression

More than three-quarters of people with mild COVID-19 reported experiencing insomnia after recovery, and it was more common among those with anxiety or depression, according to the results of a survey. Read more.

Ebola vaccine halves mortality rate, new data show

Patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease were around half as likely to die if they were vaccinated against the virus than if they were not, results from a study showed. Read more.

CDC identifies states with highest and lowest rates of long COVID

Seven U.S. states have a prevalence of adult long COVID that surpasses 8.8%, according to survey data published by the CDC. Read more.