© Mark Smith/AlamyAn elderly man has died from Alaskapox, the first known fatality from the recently discovered virus, Alaskan state health officials have said.The man, who, according to a bulletin issued last week by public health officials.because of the drugs, which may have contributed to the severity of his illness, the bulletin said. It described him as elderly butAll involved people were living in the Fairbanks area, more than 483km (300 miles) from the Kenai Peninsula, health officials said.the health bulletin said.It's unclear how AKPV is transmitted but researchers say it, meaning it can jump from animals to humans. The bulletin said that testsThe man saidat his home, the bulletin said.and frequently scratched the patient", the bulletin said.That opens the possibility that the cat had the virus on its claws when it scratched him. The bulletin saidHealth officials said there hadn't been any documented cases of humans passing on the virus but they recommended people with skin lesions possibly caused by Alaskapox to cover the affected area with a bandage.Other suggestions included thoroughly washing hands, avoiding sharing clothing that might have touched the lesions and to launder clothing and sheets separately from other household items.Health authorities also urged Alaskans to follow federal health precautions when around wildlife to avoid potential Alaskapox infections.