New Mexico Medical Examiner: Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease, But First His Wife Died From Hantavirus
Hackensack Meridian Health experts available to explain the deadly respiratory virus
News — After a week of speculation, the New Mexico medical examiners office Medical examiners say the 95 year old Hackman died of heart disease and advanced Alzheimer’s disease. They go on to say, 65 year old Arakawa likely died a full week before Hackman of hantavirus.
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that are carried by rodents, primarily deer mice and rats. People can become infected through contact with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, or by breathing in dust contaminated with these materials. While rare, hantavirus infections can cause serious and sometimes fatal respiratory illnesses, such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which is what experts believe Arakawa died from. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is most common in the spring and summer, often due to exposures that occur when people are near mouse droppings in homes, sheds or poorly ventilated areas.
Typically, a period of two to three weeks elapses between exposure to a hantavirus and the first symptoms. Early symptoms are vague, like a normal flu. Then, suddenly, fluid fills the lungs, breathing becomes difficult, and the body goes into shock. There is no antiviral therapy and mortality is anywhere between 30-50%.
It is not clear how quickly Arakawa died, and how soon after Hackman passed, but it is believed he died around a week after Arakawa. It is believed Hackman may not have known his wife had died. “Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said. “He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.”
There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. However, if the virus is caught early and the patient receives medical care in an intensive care unit (ICU), they will likely improve.
To prevent hantavirus it is important to avoid contact with rodents, their droppings and nesting materials. If there are mice or rats in the home, seal up all openings and safely trap and dispose of the mice. Ensure all food is stored in containers with tightly fitted lids. Open and aerate any closed rodent-infested spaces before entering them. Wear a respirator when cleaning buildings with heavy rodent infestations.
Hackensack Meridian Health infectious disease experts are available to speak about hantavirus, its transmission and how it can progress into hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
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