What we know about hantavirus infection that killed Gene Hackman's wife

According to official sources, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa passed away due to a rare viral infection, a full week later than her husband, actor Gene Hackman. Arakawa was 65 years old, while Hackman was 95. The couple was found dead at their home on February 26th.

Arakawa was found in the bathroom of their home with an open bottle of prescription medication and scattered pills nearby. Chief Medical Investigator Heather Jarrell stated that Arakawa died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Dr. Jarrell previously spoke about the rare virus that infected Arakawa, saying, "The mortality rate for Hantavirus is about 38-50%."

Reports indicate that maintenance workers called the police after discovering the couple's front door ajar. Arakawa's body reportedly showed signs of decomposition at the time, and her hands and feet were beginning to mummify. Dr. Jarrell stated that the pills found near her body were thyroid medication and were not related to her cause of death.

Hantavirus is found worldwide and can be transmitted through contact with rodents or their urine and feces. It is not transmitted from person to person, and cases are typically reported in the spring and summer. There is currently no specific treatment or cure, but early medical care can improve the chances of survival. Medical experts emphasize that the infection can develop rapidly and become life-threatening.

Sonia Bartolome, from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, stated, "It initially presents very much like the flu: body aches, feeling really unwell." She added, "Early in the illness, you really can't distinguish Hantavirus from the flu."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the virus can cause a severe, sometimes fatal, lung infection called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome—the very condition that led to Arakawa's death. The CDC has proactively offered to test samples from Arakawa's case to further understand the strain of the virus that infected her and to conduct pathological testing.

The CDC began tracking the virus after an outbreak in 1993 in the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States (where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet). Since then, most U.S. cases have occurred in western states, particularly the Southwest. Between 1993 and 2022, a total of 864 cases were reported in the United States.

Data from the New Mexico Department of Health shows that between 1975 and 2023, the state reported 129 cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, with 52 deaths, including 7 in 2023 and another 7 in 2024. According to the CDC, symptoms begin one to eight weeks after exposure and may initially include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. As the illness progresses, symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness as the lungs fill with fluid.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) notes that outbreaks of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome typically occur in South America and North America. Hantavirus is not present in Australian rodents, and the country has never had a documented case.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that about one in three people who develop respiratory symptoms from the disease may die. Dr. Bartolome advises, "If you're sick, and it's progressing to the point where it's interfering with your daily activities, you need to seek medical care."

The best way to avoid contracting the virus is to minimize contact with rodents and their droppings. Public health experts warn against sweeping or vacuuming droppings, as this can aerosolize the virus. It is recommended to use protective gloves and a bleach solution when cleaning up rodent droppings.