![A red-backed vole is held during a survey of plant and animal life in Juneau, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. 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 pets, such as dogs and cats, may also carry the virus, health officials say. A red-backed vole is held.](https://i0.wp.com/i.cbc.ca/1.7115008.1707929084!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/alaskapox-explainer.jpg?resize=620%2C349&ssl=1)
For nine years, Alaska health officials have been aware of an unusual virus causing rare, relatively mild illnesses in the Fairbanks area. But a recent case in another part of the state — this one resulting in a man’s death — has brought new attention to the Alaskapox virus.