The rare virus that killed Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa in February has killed three more people in a small town in California, leaving health experts concerned
Three more people have died from the rare virus that killed Gene Hackman’s wife.
Hollywood star Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy, 65, were found dead inside their Santa Fe home in February – their bodies were found partially decomposed and mummified. The actor died of coronary artery disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor.
Betsy, a classical musician, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – a rare virus transmitted by infected rodents such as rats. Infections typically occur in humans when someone is exposed to airborne particles from dried rodent droppings.
It has now been confirmed that the virus, which does not spread between people, has killed three people in a small northern Californian town called Mammoth Lakes. The town, which is east of San Francisco, has a population of just 7,000.
Health experts are worried about the unusual spike in hantavirus-related deaths so close together. Dr. Tom Boo, Mono County Public Health Officer, said: “A third case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), each of which has been fatal, is tragic and alarming.
“The occurrence of three cases in a short period has me worried, especially this early in the year. Historically, we tend to see Hantavirus cases later in the spring and in the summer. We’ve now gone about a month without any additional suspect cases but remain concerned about the increase in activity.”
He explained it was not clear how the third person, a young adult, had become infected with the virus as there was no evidence of mice at the person’s home. There were some mice at their workplace, but Dr Boo said it was “not unusual for indoor spaces this time of year in Mammoth Lakes”.
“We haven’t identified any other activities in the weeks before illness that would have increased this person’s exposure to mice or their droppings,” Dr Boo said. It’s believed deer mouse numbers are high in Mammoth Lakes and elsewhere in Eastern Sierra this year.
Dr Boo said: “I want to emphasize that as far as we know, none of these deceased individuals engaged in activities typically associated with exposure, such as cleaning out poorly ventilated indoor areas or outbuildings with a lot of mouse waste.
“Instead, these folks may have been exposed during normal daily activities, either in the home or the workplace”. He urged locals to take precautions against the virus, such as by sealing gaps in their homes to prevent mice from entering and storing food in rodent-proof containers.
“Many of us encounter deer mice in our daily lives, and there is some risk,” he said. “We should pay attention to the presence of mice and be careful around their waste.”
The Mono County health office said that about one in three people infected with hantavirus die. They said quick diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of survival.
The US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the hantavirus is a group of viruses that can lead to severe illness and even death. According to the CDC, symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, chills, fever, and muscle aches.
The later symptonm of HPS include coughing and shortness of breath. Patients might experience tightness in the chest, as the lungs fill with fluid.
Betsy Arakawa died around a week before Gene – she was found dead in the bathroom of the property. The actor was found dead in a room near to the kitchen.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
