Betsy Arakawa Dies from Rare Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Raising Awareness of Deadly Disease
Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The disease, spread by rodents, has a high fatality rate and no vaccine or cure.
Hantaviruses, a family of pathogens, are spread by rodents, mostly mice, and excreted in the animals' saliva, droppings and urine.
What to know about hantavirus, the disease that killed Betsy Arakawa
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Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome remains an ongoing threat to public health.
What Is Hantavirus? Gene Hackman's Wife Died From Rodent-Transmitted Illness
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Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread by rodent feces, saliva and urine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What is hantavirus, the rare disease that killed Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman's wife?
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New Mexico has had more reported cases of hantavirus than any other state, and about 41% of those patients died from the disease.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, explained: Betsy Arakawa’s cause of death
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Summary
Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but deadly illness with a mortality rate between 38%-50%. Hantaviruses spread through rodent excrement, particularly from deer mice, and pose a significant public health threat in the Southwest. Reports indicate that Arakawa may have contracted the virus from a rodent infestation near their New Mexico home. Symptoms develop after a one to eight-week incubation period, initially resembling flu-like conditions, but can rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress. Health officials emphasize the importance of preventative measures and awareness about hantavirus.
Perspectives
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