Health officials in the American state of Alaska have known for nine years about a virus causing rare, mild illness. But a recent case that resulted in a man’s death has brought new attention to what is being called the Alaskapox virus.美国阿拉斯加州的卫生官员已经知道了一种病毒，导致罕见，轻度疾病。 但是，最近导致男人死亡的案件引起了人们对所谓的阿拉斯好病毒的新关注。

Here’s some background on the virus:这是有关该病毒的一些背景：

Alaskapox belongs to the family of orthopoxviruses that can infect animals and humans. These viruses usually cause lesions, or pox, on the skin. Some are more dangerous than others.阿拉斯泊斯属属于可以感染动物和人类的正质病毒家族。 这些病毒通常会在皮肤上引起病变或痘痘。 有些比其他更危险。

Smallpox is the best-known member of the orthopoxvirus family. Others include camelpox, cowpox, horsepox and mpox (formerly known as monkeypox).天花是正托病毒家族中最著名的成员。 其他包括Camelpox，Cowpox，Horsepox和MPOX（以前称为Monkeypox）。

Alaskapox was discovered in 2015 in a woman who lived near Fairbanks, Alaska. It mainly has been found in small mammals, including red-backed voles and shrews. But house animals, such as dogs and cats, can carry the virus, health officials say.Alaskapox于2015年在阿拉斯加费尔班克斯附近的一名妇女中发现。 它主要是在小型哺乳动物中发现的，包括红色的田鼠和sh。 卫生官员说，但是狗和猫等房屋动物可以携带病毒。

Seven people in Alaska have become infected with it in the last nine years.在过去的九年中，阿拉斯加的七人感染了它。

People with Alaskapox have developed one or more bumps on the skin. They also experience joint, or muscle pain and swollen parts of the body called lymph nodes.Alaskapox患者在皮肤上发生了一个或多个肿块。 他们还会经历关节或肌肉疼痛和人体肿胀，称为淋巴结。

Nearly all patients had mild sickness that went away after a few weeks. But people with weak immune systems can be at risk of more severe sickness.几乎所有患者的疾病几乎都会在几周后消失。 但是，免疫系统弱的人可能会面临更严重的疾病。

Officials believe Alaskapox spreads through contact with infected animals.官员们认为，阿拉斯张通过与感染动物的接触而扩散。

There has been no documented case of it spreading from one person to another. But other viruses in the same family can spread when one person comes in contact with another person’s lesions.没有证件从一个人传播到另一个人的情况。 但是，当一个人与另一个人的病变接触时，同一家庭中的其他病毒可能会传播。

So, Alaskan health officials are advising anyone with an Alaskapox lesion to cover it with a bandage.因此，阿拉斯加卫生官员正在建议任何患有阿拉斯好病变的人用绷带覆盖它。

Alaska health officials say there have been seven people infected with Alaskapox since the virus was discovered. But the latest case represents the first time someone is known to have died from it.阿拉斯加卫生官员说，自从发现该病毒以来，已经有七人感染了阿拉斯加省。 但是最新的案件代表了某人首次死于它。

The older man lived on the Kenai Peninsula. He was being treated for cancer and had a suppressed immune system because of the drugs. In September, he found a red sore under his right armpit and saw doctors over the next two months because of tiredness and burning pain. Alaska public health officials said he was hospitalized in November and died last month.年长的男人住在基奈半岛。 他正在接受癌症治疗，并因药物而受到抑制的免疫系统。 9月，他在右腋下发现了红色的痛，由于疲倦和灼痛，在接下来的两个月中看到了医生。 阿拉斯加公共卫生官员说，他于11月住院，上个月去世。

The man lived in a forested area away from any town and did not travel. They said he had been repeatedly scratched by a cat that hunted small animals, and one of the scratches was in the area of the man’s armpit, officials said.该男子住在远离任何城镇的森林地区，没有旅行。 他们说，他曾多次被一只猎杀小动物的猫抓挠，其中一只划痕在该人的腋窝区域。

Health officials believe that Alaskapox is rare.卫生官员认为，阿拉斯匹诺克斯很少见。

That said, wildlife can carry infection risks and should not be kept at home. The best way to keep pets and family members safe is to keep a safe distance and wash your hands after being outdoors.也就是说，野生动植物可以承担感染风险，不应将其保存在家中。 保持宠物和家庭成员安全的最佳方法是保持安全距离并在户外后洗手。