(NEXSTAR) – A medical examiner confirmed Friday that Betsy Arakawa, a concert pianist and wife of Gene Hackman, died of illness caused by hantavirus.
Arakawa and Hackman, along with one of their dogs, were discovered dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home Feb. 26.
Authorities said Arakawa was found on a the floor of a bathroom in the residence, with pills for an unrelated thyroid issue scattered on the countertop.
While Arakawa, 65, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Hackman, 95, did not test positive for the disease, according to Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell.
Jarrell said Hackman’s death was linked to severe heart disease. An autopsy also found evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
What is hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that, while rare, can be deadly.
The viruses are spread mainly by rodents to people, but not from one person to another. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), humans can contract the virus from mouse or rat urine, droppings and saliva. In rare cases, it can spread through a bite or scratch.
In the U.S., hantavirus is usually spread by the deer mouse, according to the CDC.
In the Western Hemisphere hantavirus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, meaning it affects the lungs. Symptoms usually surface between one to eight weeks after contact with an infected rodent and can include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems.
After four to 10 days, late symptoms such as coughing, lungs filling with fluid and shortness of breath begin.
The CDC estimates that 38% of people who experience respiratory symptoms may die from the disease.
