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The deaths of Hackman and Arakawa made headlines around the world. Hackman was one of Hollywood's most venerated actors, while Arakawa was a classical pianist of prodigious talent. At 95 years old and known to be suffering from a heart condition and the effects of Alzheimer's, Hackman's passing was perhaps expected. But mystery surrounded the demise of 65-year-old Arakawa until health officials identified her demise as a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus.
But what exactly is hantavirus, how is it transmitted, and why is it often deadly? Click through this gallery for an explanation.
Betsy Arakawa was the second wife of Hollywood actor Gene Hackman. Born in 1959 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Arakawa was a classical pianist of considerable repute.
Arakawa was found dead along with Hackman at their home in February 2025. It's believed she died on February 11, a full week earlier than her husband, whose death likely occurred on February 18.
Law enforcement and health officials eventually concluded that while Gene Hackman died from severe heart disease, complicated by advanced Alzheimer's disease, Betsy Arakawa's cause of death was as a result of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
Hantaviruses, from the Bunyaviridae family, are a group of viruses that are normally carried by infected rodents, such as rats, mice, and voles.
Vectors of hantaviruses include the deer mouse (pictured). This rodent is the primary reservoir species for Sin Nombre hantavirus.
The bank vole is also a carrier of the hantavirus and considered another main pathogen.
The striped field mouse is known to carry several zoonotic pathogens (diseases that can jump from a non-human vertebrate to a human), among them hantaviruses.
And the cotton rat, a native of North and South America, is another known vector of the hantavirus.
People get hantavirus mostly by breathing in the virus after contact with rodents like rats and mice.
Anyone who comes into contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, saliva, nesting materials, or particles from these, can get hantavirus disease.
Exposure to poorly ventilated areas with active rodent infestations in households is the strongest risk factor for infection.
Visitors to rural areas and nature resorts—campers, hikers, and others who take part in activities outdoors—can also become exposed to the virus.
Hantaviruses cause two syndromes. Hantaviruses found in the Western Hemisphere, including in the United States, can cause HPS—the strain that killed Betsy Arakawa. The most common hantavirus that causes HPS in the US is spread by the aforementioned deer mouse.
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a group of clinically similar illnesses caused by hantaviruses. HFRS is found mostly in Europe and Asia.
Seoul virus, a type of hantavirus that causes HFRS, is found worldwide, including in the United States. In this instance, the primary vectors are the black rat and the brown rat.
HPS is a rare, severe, and potentially deadly disease that affects the lungs. Early symptoms are flu-like in character and include fever, dry cough, and headaches.
Four to 10 days after the initial phase of illness, the late symptoms of HPS appear. These symptoms include a persistent hack and shortness of breath.
As it advances, HPS can induce shortness of breath and a tightness in the chest. The lungs may fill with fluid. Lung and heart function quickly become inhibited.
If respiratory symptoms develop in those who have HPS, the mortality rate is approximately 38%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Symptoms of HFRS usually develop within one to two weeks after exposure. As with HPS, initial signs of the condition are flu-like in character.
As HFRS worsens, people may experience low blood pressure, weak blood flow, internal bleeding, and acute kidney failure.
HFRS primarily affects the kidneys, and its severity depends on the virus causing the infection. Between 1% and 15% of cases are fatal.
Diagnosing HPS and HFRS can be challenging because early symptoms mimic the flu. A history of rodent exposure is therefore vital in detecting the virus. Generally, diagnosis of hantavirus infections in humans is based on clinical and epidemiological information as well as laboratory tests, including blood work.
There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infections. Patients should receive supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment of symptoms. Those with more severe symptoms may need to be admitted to hospitals in intensive care units. Some may need to be intubated in extreme cases.
As HFRS disrupts kidney function, severely affected patients may require dialysis to remove toxins from the blood and maintain the right balance of fluids in the body when the organs aren't working well.
Reducing the risk of hantavirus infections is recommended. Measures include eliminating or minimizing contact with rodents in the home or workplace, for example cleaning up any easy-to-get food that might attract the animals.
Seal holes and gaps in your home, especially in the attic and basement, to deter rodents from entering these spaces.
Look out for tell-tale signs of rodent infestation, typically nest sites and things like gnawed cardboard boxes and suchlike.
When clearing up rodent droppings, it's suggested people wear protective gear to avoid inhaling contaminated air.
Sources: (CDC) (BBC) (American Lung Association) (Mayo Clinic) (CBS News) (CNN)
What is hantavirus, the disease that killed Gene Hackman's wife?
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HEALTH Diseases
The deaths of Hackman and Arakawa made headlines around the world. Hackman was one of Hollywood's most venerated actors, while Arakawa was a classical pianist of prodigious talent. At 95 years old and known to be suffering from a heart condition and the effects of Alzheimer's, Hackman's passing was perhaps expected. But mystery surrounded the demise of 65-year-old Arakawa until health officials identified her demise as a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus.
But what exactly is hantavirus, how is it transmitted, and why is it often deadly? Click through this gallery for an explanation.