(NewsNation) — Public interest in Hantavirus increased Friday after authorities said Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from the disease days before the 95-year-old actor passed away of natural causes.
The decomposed bodies of Hackman and Arakawa, 63, were found Feb. 26 in their Sante Fe, N.M., home, with no apparent signs of foul play. Autopsy results were shared late this week.
The Hantavirus blamed in Arakawa’s death is a sometimes fatal disease with flu-like symptoms. It is spread to humans through the excretions from deer mice, which are prevalent in the Southwest.
“It takes four to six weeks once someone has contracted Hantavirus for the disease to become severe. But once it is severe, the person may well not last long and requires hospitalization, often in an intensive care unit,” forensics expert Stephen Cohle, the medical examiner for Kent County, Michigan, told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.”
He said a person infected with Hantavirus can die of respiratory failure. Hundreds of cases occur each year in North America.
“Obviously, the mice can get into the house, into anyone’s home,” Cohle said. “I think one would want to be very diligent about washing one’s hands and getting medical treatment soon after the onset of symptoms.”
Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner who appeared in several classic American films, was suffering from myriad medical issues, including Alzheimer’s disease, at the time of his death. It’s presumed his wife collapsed and died, possibly as early as Feb. 11, followed by Hackman’s death around Feb. 18.
