What is hantavirus, the cause of Gene Hackman’s wife’s death?
The recent deaths of actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman, 65, have shed light on the causes behind their tragic passing. Hackman was found to have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in addition to advanced Alzheimer’s disease, while his wife likely succumbed to “hantavirus pulmonary syndrome” (HPS), as per New Mexico authorities.
Hantaviruses, a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents, can result in severe respiratory or renal diseases in humans. Dr. Rhys Parry, a molecular virologist at the University of Queensland in Australia, explained that most hantaviruses found in North, Central, and South America can lead to HPS, the condition that claimed the life of Hackman’s wife.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that the hantaviruses prevalent in the United States do not spread between people. HPS has a nearly 40% fatality rate among those infected, making it a grave concern for public health.
Hantaviruses are typically spread when individuals breathe in virus particles from disturbed rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials. The CDC listed various potential mechanisms of transmission, including inhaling contaminated air when cleaning up after rodents, touching contaminated objects and subsequently touching the nose or mouth, getting bitten or scratched by an infected rodent, or consuming food contaminated with the virus.
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, highlighted that hantavirus can spread via dust from rodents’ saliva, urine, and areas they frequent. The most common carrier of hantavirus in the U.S. is the deer mouse.
Early symptoms of hantavirus infection include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues, which can manifest one to eight weeks after exposure. Most cases are reported in rural areas where rodents are more likely to infiltrate homes or barns.
Hantavirus infections are considered rare, but the consequences can be severe. Symptoms progress to respiratory distress, including coughing, shortness of breath, and fluid accumulation in the lungs, leading to respiratory failure.
Sin Nombre virus, the predominant hantavirus in the U.S., causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with a mortality rate of approximately 38%. Although there is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, early intensive care with oxygen therapy and supportive measures can be life-saving.
Preventive measures focus on rodent control, proper cleaning of infested areas with protective gear, and avoiding exposure to rodent habitats. The tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in dealing with potential health threats posed by hantaviruses.
