What is Hantavirus? kills 4 Lives Including Actor Gene Hackman’s Wife

Hantavirus: A rare and deadly virus that killed actor Gene Hackman’s wife earlier this year has killed at least three individuals. Local health officials are “worried” about the deaths, which took place in the rural California town of Mammoth Lakes.

Mr. Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in February at their New Mexico home. It took authorities two weeks to determine that she was infected. The sources claim that Mono County Public Health confirmed three additional virus-related deaths last week and called the situation “tragic” and “alarming.” “Three cases in a short period has me concerned,” said Mono County Public Health Officer Tom Boo.

What is Hantavirus?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hantavirus is a group of viruses that can cause catastrophic illnesses such hemorrhagic fever with renal issues and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Humans typically contract the disease by breathing in dust particles that are contaminated, or by coming into contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of sick rodents. People do not contract the infection from one another. Rarely, it may also spread by being bitten or scratched by a rodent.

Take A Look At The Tweet:

Mono County Public Health has confirmed a third death due to Hantavirus in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Hantavirus is a serious and often fatal illness that people can get through contact with infected deer mouse droppings, urine, or saliva. Deer mice are widespread in the Eastern… pic.twitter.com/891cm1PBP5

— Mono County (@countyofmono) April 3, 2025

The victim in one of the most recent California cases was thought to have been exposed while vacuuming mouse excrement in a house where an infestation was known to exist. It’s conceivable that someone else contracted the infection at home. Regarding the third case, officials are still baffled.

Symptoms of Hantavirus:

Flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, chills, body pains, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, and a dry cough are typically the first signs of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Breathing issues may develop as the condition worsens. According to the CDC, early treatment is crucial because HPS kills about four out of ten affected individuals.