What is Hantavirus that killed Gene Hackman’s wife? Five signs of rare infectious disease

Health experts have revealed five key signs of the flu-like Hantavirus after Gene Hackman’s wife died from the infectious disease.

US officials revealed today that iconic actor Gene Hackman, 95, likely died around February 18 after his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, is believed to have died on February 11 from the rare disease. The pair were found at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26, alongside their dog.

The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator said Arakawa died from the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Hackman suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and died from a heart condition. It is likely he did not know that his wife had died.

Authorities initially ruled out foul play after the bodies were discovered February 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative.

According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the hantavirus is a family of viruses that can cause serious illness and even death. They are spread mainly by rodents and are not spread from person-to-person.

Symptoms of hantavirus include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches, especially in the thighs, hips, back, and shoulders
• Headache
• Dizziness

Four to 10 days following the initial phase of the illness, the late symptoms of hantavirus appear. The symptoms include coughing and shortness of breath.

The disease can be deadly. An estimated 38 per cent of people who develop respiratory symptoms may die from the disease.

There are ways people can reduce the risk they have from contracting hantavirus. This includes eliminating or minimizing contact with rodents in your home, workplace or campsite to reduce the risk of getting the virus.

The CDC said diagnosing hantavirus is difficult to do when a person has been infected for less than 72 hours. The initial test is dome before the virus can be found and repeat testing is often done about 72 hours after symptoms start.

Source: Mirror