Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from the effects of Hantavirus, a rare disease that is usually caused by fecal contact from infected rodents.
In cases found in the United States, Hanta virus did not spread among people. It can be spread through rodent saliva. However, it is usually transmitted through respiration in particles of dry mouse drops or urine.
At first, hantavirus can cause symptoms of heat, including fever, chills, body aches and headaches. But as the disease progresses, respiratory symptoms develop, and the patient can breathe rapidly, and then have lung or heart failure.
This is what we know about Hanta virus.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus refers to a series of viruses carried by rodents. It is usually transmitted to people by inhaling particles from dry mouse feces. Sabra L., a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of the end of 2022, 864 cases of hantavirus have been reported since the investigation of such cases began in 1993. Emily Abdoler, a doctor and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, said the “classic” case of Hanta virus was signed by someone who visited a country cabin.
Hanta virus initially has symptoms of heat.
According to Dr. Heather Jarrell, the chief medical examiner of New Mexico, the Hanta virus causes inflammatory symptoms, which occurs one to eight weeks after exposure to feces from infected rodents. Later, the patient often had shortness of breath and then had lung or heart failure.
Dr. Jarrell said the mortality rate of Hanta virus strain in the southwestern United States ranges from 38% to 50%. She said the pressure in the region cannot be spread from one person to one person.
New Mexico is no stranger to Hanta virus.
According to Dr. Abdul, Hanta virus is most common in four corner areas – Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.
Dr. Erin Phipps, a veterinary at the New Mexico Department of Health, said New Mexico has recorded hantavirus infections from one to seven annual records per year over the past five years.
Most people get infected in their home or workplace, she said. On a property east of Santa Fe, where Mr. Hackman and Ms. Arakawa live, health officials have found signs of rodent entry in certain structures, although the risk of exposure to the virus in primary residence is small.
Dr Jarrell said it was not clear when Ms. Alakava began to get sick.
How to prevent hantavirus?
Ms. Klein of Johns Hopkins said there is no treatment for Hanta virus, although antiviral drugs can help treat symptoms. That’s why prevention is important.
If you live in a well-known area where Hanta virus infected rodents, clean all your feces with a wet tissue. Do not use a vacuum or broom, which can stir the aerosol from the excrement.
Use gloves and tight N95 masks in a well-ventilated space. People should spray the area with bleach or commercial disinfectant and let it sit for five minutes. Then they should clean the area with tissues and throw them tightly off the trash can, Dr. Phipps said.
Treatment of hantavirus in intensive care units may include intubation and oxygen therapy, fluid replacement and medications that support blood pressure. Antiviral drugs are sometimes used.
