Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Hackman, has passed away due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare and potentially fatal illness caused by contact with rodents such as rats and mice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that people can get infected through exposure to these animals’ urine, droppings, and saliva.
Three cases of HPS have been reported in Mammoth Lakes, California, including the death of Betsy Hackman. Her husband, Gene Hackman, died days later from severe heart disease, high blood pressure, and advanced Alzheimer’s disease. The exact cause of their deaths is still under investigation.
The CDC explains that symptoms of HPS usually start to appear one to eight weeks after contact with an infected rodent, including fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and abdominal pain. In some cases, patients may experience late symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath four to ten days later.
This is the third reported case of HPS in Mammoth Lakes, which has left health officials alarmed. Dr. Tom Boo, Mono County Public Health Officer, says that none of the deceased individuals engaged in typical activities associated with exposure to hantavirus. He warns that encounters with deer mice and their waste can pose a risk, especially during normal daily activities.
Betsy’s cause of death was initially reported as HPS by New Mexico’s chief medical examiner, Heather Jarrell, on March 7. Gene Hackman’s passing was announced days later, on February 26, due to a combination of severe health issues. The couple’s deaths have raised awareness about the importance of taking precautions around rodents and their waste.
Source: https://people.com/rodent-borne-virus-that-killed-gene-hackman-wife-betsy-claims-3-lives-in-california-county-11709721