What is the disease that killed the wife of Gene Hackman?

Betsy Arakawa, the wife of Oscar’s actor Gene Hackman, died of respiratory diseases associated with Hantavirus, a rare disease transmitted by the infected rodents, the officials confirmed.

Health experts warn that hantavirus can cause symptoms similar to the flu after exposure to rodent feces, and in severe cases can develop into hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a life -threatening state of lungs.

Medical investigators believe that Mrs. Arakawa has contracted HPS, leading to her death.

She is believed to have died a week before her husband, who was at the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The authorities discovered the late couple at their home in New Mexico last month.

Here’s what you need to know about Hantavirus.

Hantavirus refers to the soy of the virus worn by rodents, primarily transferred to humans by inhaling particles in the air from dried rodents.

Infections usually occur when the virus becomes in the air from the urine of rodents, feces or saliva, according to centers for the control and prevention of the disease (CDC).

Although rare, it can also be spread through rodent stabs or scratches. In North America, deer mice are the most common brackets, according to the Mayo Clinic.

It can also be expanded through a bite or scratches of rodents, but it is less frequent. Deer mice are the most common carriers in North America, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The virus can cause two serious illnesses. The first, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – the most common strain in the United States – was a disease that led to Mrs. Arakaw’s death, the officials say.

Symptoms often begin fatigue, fever and muscle pain, headache, dizziness, winter and abdominal problems. If respiratory symptoms develop, the mortality rate is approximately 38%, according to CDC.

Another disease, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, is stronger and primarily affects the kidneys.

CDC reported on 864 cases of Hantavirus in the United States between 1993 and 2022.

Most cases were found in rural areas of Western states such as California, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico -ai Colorado.

The agency began supervision due to hantavirus diseases in 1993 during the outbreak of severe respiratory diseases near the four -corner region in the United States, where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet.

Each year, there can be about 150,000 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome around the world, according to a report of the National Health Institutes. More than half happens in China.

There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infections.

CDC recommends support for the treatment of symptoms.

Patients with severe symptoms may need to receive hospitals in intensive care units. Some may need to be intubated in severe cases.

CDC recommends removing contact with rodents in homes or workplaces to reduce the virus exposure.

The Agency also recommends sealing entrance points in basements or attic where rodents can enter homes.

Wearing a protective gear is also proposed when cleaning rodent feces to avoid inhalation of contaminated air.