What is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome? Deadly disease that took Betsy Arakawa’s life: symptoms, treatment, and prevention; here's all about it

Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist and Gene Hackman's wife, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare virus transmitted by rodents. On February 26, the bodies of Arakawa and Hackman were found at their Santa Fe residence, according to authorities in New Mexico.

At the news conference on Friday, New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner Heather Jarrell stated that she most likely passed away from the virus that day.

According to Jarrell, Hackman, who had late-stage Alzheimer's disease, most likely passed away a week after his wife from both Alzheimer's and hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, as quoted in a report by The NY Post.

Here's what you should know about symptoms, treatment, and self-protection.

Patients with hantavirus may experience flu-like symptoms that swiftly develop into breathing problems. The illness has the potential to seriously harm lung tissue, which can result in fluid buildup in the lungs and major heart and lung issues.

How is hantavirus contracted?

Inhaling particles from infected rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials is the main way that humans get hantavirus. Eating food tainted with mouse urine, saliva, or droppings can also result in infection. In rare cases, a rat carrying the virus may bite or scratch a person. Usually, the virus does not spread from one person to another.

More than 90% of infections in the United States happen west of the Mississippi River. The most frequent cause of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is the Sin Nombre virus.

Although there are other culprits, deer mice are the primary culprit in New Mexico and North America. In the Northeast, white-footed mice are carriers, while in the Southeast, rice rats and cotton rats are.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that between 1993 and 2022, there were about 865 cases of the disease in the United States.

During that time, New Mexico had the highest number of cases (122). White men in their late 30s made up the majority of the patients.

According to New Mexico health officials, the disease kills people about 40% of the time.

What are the symptoms of hantavirus?

Symptoms typically begin a week to eight weeks after exposure, with breathing problems starting four to 10 days later. They include fever, tiredness, muscle aches, headache, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, cough, and stomach pain.

Is there a cure?

Although there isn't a specific treatment for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a ventilator and oxygen therapy might be required.

Avoid sweeping rodent droppings into the air; move hay, wood, and compost piles far from your home.

Remove trash and junk piles that could attract rodents, air out closed spaces where the mice made their home, trap all mice, and use a disinfectant to soak down nests and droppings.

Keep pet food and water out of mice's reach to lower the risk of hantavirus.

FAQs

How do people develop hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
People can get the virus by inhaling particles from infected rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials. It does not spread from person to person.

Is there a treatment for hantavirus?
There is no specific cure. For severe cases, treatment focuses on supportive care, which may include oxygen therapy and ventilation.