What Is Hantavirus? Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa Cause of Death Revealed – ryan

The coroner investigating the deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa revealed that Arakawa died due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, helping bring clarity and some closure to the bizarre circumstances around the couple’s passing.

The Context

Hackman, Arakawa and one of their dogs were found dead in their New Mexico home on February 26, when maintenance and security workers discovered their bodies. Two other dogs were found on the property and were “healthy,” according to authorities.

Hackman, 95, was found in his home’s mudroom, while Arakawa, 64, was found dead in the bathroom with prescription pills scattered on a counter. However, County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that there was no indication of foul play, including no signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Based on the activity of Hackman’s pacemaker, authorities determined that he and his wife had likely died a full week before the workers found them.

What To Know

Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical examiner at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, provided a robust update on findings for the couple, which were both ruled as “natural causes.”

Arakawa likely died a full week before Hackman, succumbing to symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Hackman tested negative for the virus, and both tested negative for COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Jarrell said that Hackman appeared to have died from heart disease with advanced Alzheimer’s “a significant contributory factor.” The post mortem examination showed evidence of “multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks and severe changes to the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure.”

“He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that is what resulted in his in his death,” she said at the press conference today. Hackman’s pacemaker had recorded atrial fibrillation on February 18, after which it did not record a heart beat.

She said that she did not find any food in Hackman’s stomach meaning he “had not eaten recently” before his death, even though she found no evidence that he was dehydrated. She added that he likely was “not aware” that Arakawa had died.

What Is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome?

The virus is largely transmitted from contact between humans and rodents like rats and mice, particularly with exposure to urine, droppings and saliva, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The infection affects the lungs and starts to show from one to eight weeks after contact with an infected animal. Symptoms can include fatigue, fever and muscle aches. Patients may also experience headaches, dizziness and chills, in addition to abdominal issues like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The CDC advised that diagnosing someone who had been infected less within 72 hours of exposure is difficult, with repeat testing needed after symptoms first start appearing. Early symptoms may be confused with those of influenza.

To prevent hantavirus infection, it is crucial to avoid contact with rodents and their droppings. This can be achieved by sealing entry points to homes and taking precautions when cleaning areas where rodents may have been.

Although hantavirus infections are rare, they can be very serious, so it’s important to take preventive measures, particularly in areas where rodent populations are prevalent. There is no vaccine or antiviral medication for the virus.

It remains unclear when Arakawa may have been exposed to infected material, making it difficult to tell if she could have known that her symptoms indicated a deeper issue.