Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman died days after his wife’s passing
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman passed away due to heart disease, just days after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, U.S. authorities confirmed on Friday.
According to Dr. Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s chief medical examiner, Gene Hackman, 95, died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor.
His wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, with the cause of death classified as natural.
What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus refers to a family of viruses that can cause severe and sometimes fatal illnesses such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through infected rodents, specifically through their urine, saliva, and feces. The CDC states that hantavirus does not spread from person to person in most cases, with transmission occurring mainly through direct exposure to rodent droppings.
In rare cases, the virus can also spread through rodent bites or scratches.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)
HPS is a rare but deadly viral disease that affects the heart, lungs, and other organs. It progresses rapidly and can be fatal, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Humans can contract the disease after coming into contact with infected rodent droppings or saliva.
Despite its severity, HPS remains rare in the United States. Between 1993 and 2022, a total of 864 cases were reported, with New Mexico (122 cases) and Colorado (119 cases) experiencing the highest numbers, according to The Guardian.
Symptoms and diagnosis
In its early stages, HPS causes flu-like symptoms, including:
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Body aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dry cough followed by breathing difficulty
Since HPS is fatal in nearly 4 in 10 infected people, the CDC emphasizes the importance of early treatment.
Dr. Jarrell explained that the virus can rapidly lead to severe complications, including shortness of breath, heart failure, and lung failure.
“This occurs after a one to eight-week exposure to excrement from a particular mouse species that carries hantavirus,” she said.
Diagnosis and testing
Diagnosing HPS can be challenging because its symptoms closely resemble those of influenza, leptospirosis, and other infections.
A blood test is considered the most reliable method for confirming hantavirus infection.
