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.