Gene Hackman's Wife Dies from Hantavirus Complications
Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome linked to rodent exposure, prompting health warnings.
Overview
Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease linked to infected rodents. HPS symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and can lead to severe respiratory complications with a mortality rate of around 38%. Her passing was soon followed by Hackman's death from heart disease and Alzheimer's. Hantavirus is primarily spread through inhalation of dust contaminated with rodent droppings and is rare in the U.S., with only 864 cases reported from 1993 to 2022. Health officials emphasize rodent control and awareness of symptoms to prevent infections.
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Analysis
- Hantavirus, carried by rodents, can lead to severe respiratory illness known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which caused Betsy Arakawa's death.
- Precautions against hantavirus include rodent control and avoiding contact with contaminated areas, as it is primarily spread through inhalation of particles from rodent droppings and urine.
- Although rare, hantavirus cases have been sporadic in the Southwest and can manifest with serious symptoms including fever, muscle aches, and respiratory difficulties.
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BBC News·4M·FAQ
The primary symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, which can progress to severe respiratory complications such as coughing, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup in the lungs.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is primarily transmitted through inhalation of dust contaminated with rodent urine, feces, or saliva. It can also be spread by touching contaminated objects and then touching one's face, or by being bitten or scratched by an infected rodent.
The mortality rate of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is approximately 38% to 50% among those infected in the American Southwest.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is rare in the United States, with fewer than 900 cases reported over nearly 30 years. Between 1993 and 2022, there were 864 reported cases.
History
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