What is the disease that killed Gene Hackman’s wife?

Officials confirmed that Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from a respiratory disease linked to the Hantavirus, a rare disease transmitted by infected rodents.

Health experts warn that hantavirus can cause flu-like symptoms after exposure to rodent feces, and in severe cases, it may develop into hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a life-threatening lung condition.

Medical investigators believe Ms. Alakava signed up for HPS, which led to her death.

She is believed to have died before her husband was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Authorities found the late couple last month at their New Mexico home.

Here’s what you need to know about Hantavirus.

Hanta virus refers to a series of viruses carried by rodents, which are mainly transmitted to humans through air parasitic particles inhaled into dry rodent feces.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infections usually occur when the virus flows from rodents’ urine, feces, or saliva.

Although rare, it can also be transmitted through bites or scratches in rodents. According to the Mayo Clinic, deer mice are the most common carriers in North America.

The virus causes two serious diseases. Officials say the first is the most common Hanta virus pulmonary syndrome in the United States – the disease that causes Ms. Alakava’s death.

Symptoms usually start with fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, followed by headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal problems. According to the CDC, if respiratory symptoms appear, the mortality rate is about 38%.

The second disease is hemorrhagic fever from renal syndrome, which is more serious and mainly affects the kidneys.

The CDC reported 864 cases of hantavirus in the United States between 1993 and 2022.

Most cases were found in rural areas in western countries such as California, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.

The agency began monitoring of Hanta virus disease in 1993, an outbreak of severe respiratory disease near the Four Corners of the United States, all encountering Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

According to a report from the National Institutes of Health, about 150,000 cases of hemorrhagic hemorrhagic fever may be associated with nephrotic syndrome each year. More than half of this happens in China.

There are no specific treatments for Hanta virus infection.

The CDC recommends providing supportive treatment for symptoms.

Hospitals in the intensive care unit may require admission to patients with severe symptoms. In severe cases, some intubation may be required.

The CDC recommends eliminating contact with rodents in homes or workplaces to reduce exposure to the virus.

The agency also recommends sealing entry points in the basement or attic where rodents can access the house.

It is also recommended to wear protective equipment to avoid inhaling contaminated air when cleaning rodent feces.