What Is Hantavirus? All About the Rare Disease Spread by Rats That Led to Betsy Hackman’s Death

Authorities have confirmed that actor Gene Hackman died from a combination of severe heart disease and advanced Alzheimer’s disease, a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus.

The New Mexico’s Chief Medical Examiner announced during a press conference on Friday, March 7, that Betsy died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a flu-like virus linked to rodent droppings. Erin Phipps, a veterinarian with the New Mexico Health Department, said investigators found signs of “rodent entry” in outlying structures on the property, though the assessed risk in the main house was deemed “low.”

Hantavirus cases are relatively rare, but fatal in up to 42% of cases in New Mexico, said Phipps. There have reportedly been less than 10 cases of the virus in the state in the last five years. Officials reported Betsy’s case to the CDC as the hantavirus is a “notifiable condition.”

“This is a serious disease,” said Phipps.

Here’s what to know about the rodent-borne virus.

Hantavirus is an infectious disease that’s normally spread through contact with rodents such as deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats and the white-footed mouse. The virus is typically transmitted to humans when they are bitten or come into contact with urine, droppings and saliva of an infected rodent.

Dogs and cats are not known to be infected by hantavirus, according to the CDC. However, pets can spread the virus to humans if they bring infected rodents inside the home.

Hantavirus can lead to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Symptoms include fever, fatigue and muscle aches — especially in the thighs, hips, back and shoulders — coughing and shortness of breath. Patients might also experience tightness in the chest as fluid builds up in the lungs. They typically appear one to eight weeks after contact with the infected rodent.

HPS is a severe and potentially deadly disease, the CDC warns.  It can be diagnosed with blood tests and it’s curable if treated quickly as symptoms can worsen suddenly and become life-threatening. Medical care can include intubation and mechanical ventilation to support breathing and manage fluid in the lungs, as well as blood oxygenation, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Health officials note that the risk of hantavirus can be reduced by eliminating or minimizing contact with rodents in the home, workplace or campsite. People should also seal holes and gaps in the home or garage to keep rodents from entering and place traps to decrease infestation.

The CDC also urges proper clean up of easy-to-get-to food that may attract rodents.