The virus that claimed the life of Betsy Arakawa, the wife of Gene Hackman, is a rare but devastating threat with no vaccine, treatment, or cure. Hantaviruses, which are spread by rodents, mainly mice, are excreted in the animals’ saliva, droppings, and urine. In New Mexico, where Arakawa and Hackman resided, the deer mouse is the most common carrier of hantavirus. Dr. Jeff Duchin, a retired public health officer, described the disease as “horrible,” with a fatality rate of up to 40%.
Arakawa, aged 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, while Hackman, aged 95, passed away a week later from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease also playing a significant role. Symptoms of hantavirus infection in the U.S. typically include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills, and stomach issues. Dr. Scott Roberts from Yale School of Medicine noted that symptoms can take up to eight weeks to manifest after exposure.
In severe cases, hantaviruses can progress to the lungs, causing a dangerous respiratory illness with symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and fluid in the lungs. The disease can manifest rapidly, leading to a drop in blood pressure and fluid accumulation in the lungs and tissues, resulting in difficulty breathing and reduced oxygen levels.
Hantavirus was first identified in the U.S. in 1993 after an outbreak in the Four Corners area, leading to 14 fatalities. Since then, there have been 129 confirmed cases in New Mexico and over 860 cases nationwide. The disease is most commonly reported in the western U.S., particularly in the Southwest, where deer mice are prevalent. Prevention is emphasized as there is no vaccine or specific treatment available for hantavirus infections.
“The animal population serves as a reservoir for the hantavirus, with animals becoming infected and humans subsequently at risk,” stated Roberts. People are at risk of contracting hantavirus when they disturb mouse droppings or urine in dusty areas such as barns, cabins, or outbuildings near forested regions, particularly during cleaning activities. Although the risk of hantavirus inside Hackman and Arakawa’s home was deemed low by the New Mexico Department of Health, evidence of rodents was found in other structures on the property, according to Erin Phipps, the state public health veterinarian, during a news conference on Friday. It remains unclear how Arakawa contracted the disease. Phipps emphasized the importance of wearing gloves, using an N-95 respirator, opening windows, and utilizing disinfectants when cleaning up living spaces following a rodent infestation. Additionally, she advised against coming into contact with or inhaling aerosolized rodent urine or feces, particularly in poorly ventilated areas. Phipps stressed not to sweep or vacuum mouse droppings as this can cause particles to become airborne. The hantavirus family is also a concern in Europe and Asia, where a different strain of the virus transmitted by other rodent species can lead to hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
