Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a deadly virus spread by rodents, caused the death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, in 2024. Hackman himself passed away a few days later from heart disease. The couple was found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, sparking concerns about the rare virus, which had caused only 864 reported cases between 1993 and 2022. The virus is primarily spread by wild rodents, particularly deer mice, and can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, characterized by fever, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing.
Hantavirus cases in Arizona saw an increase in 2024, with at least seven confirmed cases, including three fatalities. The outbreak of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in 1993 among members of the Navajo Nation led to the discovery of the Sin Nombre virus, the most common strain of hantavirus in the U.S. The outbreak had a fatality rate of about 80%.
Preventing hantavirus involves avoiding contact with rodents, keeping homes rodent-free, sealing entry points, conducting regular pest inspections, and ensuring proper home ventilation. Native American communities are considered especially at risk for hantavirus, and individuals frequently exposed to animals are also at higher risk. The sudden rise in hantavirus cases in Arizona is unclear, but the virus is sporadic and typically confined to northern areas of the state.
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