The recent passing of actor Gene Hackman, aged 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman, aged 65, has brought to light the causes of their deaths. Gene Hackman was found to have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease alongside advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Meanwhile, Betsy Arakawa Hackman likely succumbed to “hantavirus pulmonary syndrome” (HPS) according to authorities in New Mexico. Hantaviruses, carried primarily by rodents, can lead to severe respiratory or renal illnesses in humans, as explained by Dr. Rhys Parry, a molecular virologist at the University of Queensland in Australia.
The majority of hantaviruses in North, Central, and South America can cause HPS, the same condition that affected Hackman’s wife. Despite this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reassured that these viruses are not known to spread among people. HPS has a mortality rate of nearly 40% in those infected, and it typically spreads through inhaling virus particles from disturbed rodent excretions, as stated by Parry. The CDC lists various ways in which hantaviruses can be transmitted, such as through contaminated air, objects, rodent bites, scratches, or food.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, concurred that hantavirus can spread through dust contaminated with rodent saliva, urine, and contact areas. The deer mouse is the most common carrier of hantavirus in the U.S., according to Dr. Siegel. Although hantavirus cases are rare, they are more often seen in rural settings where rodents may infiltrate homes or barns.
Hantavirus infections are uncommon, but can be fatal in one-third to one-half of cases. Early symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems, which can progress to serious respiratory issues like coughing, shortness of breath, and fluid in the lungs. The Sin Nombre virus is the most prevalent hantavirus in the U.S., causing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with a mortality rate of approximately 38%.
Both Parry and Siegel expressed sadness over the circumstances of the Hackmans’ deaths and commended the accurate identification of HPS as the cause. They emphasized the rarity of hantavirus infections in humans and the critical nature of seeking medical attention promptly if exposed.
According to the expert, there is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus. Early intensive care involving oxygen therapy and supportive measures is crucial. The CDC emphasizes the importance of early intensive medical care, as patients can quickly become severely ill and even die from sudden acute disease caused by hantaviruses. These viruses can lead to severe illnesses such as hemorrhagic fever, renal disease, or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Effective treatment is less likely if a patient is in distress. Supportive care may involve monitoring heart function, providing fluids and oxygen, and using a ventilator when necessary. Patients might also receive broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, fever reducers, and pain relievers. Prevention strategies include rodent control, thorough cleaning of infested areas with protective gear, and avoiding contact with rodent habitats.
