April 30, 2025 | The recent deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa raised a number of questions, some of which took considerable time to be answered. Hackman’s death was attributed to natural causes although he had heart disease and complications caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Arakawa’s death was caused by a virus that is relatively rare but is a devastating threat with no vaccine, treatment or cure. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is spread by mice and rats who shed the virus in their urine, droppings, and saliva. Tiny droplets with the virus can enter the air. People can get the disease if they breathe infected air or come into contact with rodents or their urine or droppings. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome initially causes flu-like symptoms that can progress to more severe illnesses where people have trouble breathing. It’s important for people with HPS to begin treatment as early as possible to improve their chances of recovery.

April 30, 2025 | Hantaviruses are spread by rodents’ body fluids and excrement. People mostly contract hantavirus by breathing in the virus. Most hantaviruses found in North, Central, and South America can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS. Different hantaviruses are found in the United States. Most of these cause HPS, which primarily affects the lungs. Non-HPS hantavirus infection can also occur, where patients experience non-specific viral symptoms, but no cardiopulmonary symptoms. The hantaviruses that are found throughout the United States are not known to spread between people. People who handle and clean up after rodents, such as pest exterminators and animal caretakers, are at higher risk of hantavirus exposure and should take precautions. People who work with live rodents or have rodents as pets can be exposed to hantaviruses through rodent bites or contaminated bedding from infected animals.

April 30, 2025 | Hantaviruses can cause two rare but dangerous syndromes. Hantaviruses found in the Western Hemisphere, including here in the U.S., can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS. The most common hantavirus that causes HPS in the U.S. is spread by the deer mouse. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is a group of clinically similar illnesses caused by hantaviruses found mostly in Europe and Asia. The symptoms of HPS, which can include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, usually start to show one to eight weeks after contact with an infected rodent. Four to 10 days after the initial phase of illness, the late symptoms of HPS appear. These symptoms include coughing and shortness of breath. The symptoms of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome may include intense headaches, back and abdominal pain, nausea and blurred vision. The severity of the disease varies depending on the virus causing the infection.

April 30, 2025 | Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, the rare disease blamed for the death of the wife of actor Gene Hackman, is fatal in nearly four in 10 people who are infected. Diagnosing hantavirus in a person who has been infected less than 72 hours is difficult. Assessing patients for hantavirus can be difficult early in the infection because the symptoms are non-specific and resemble many other viral infections like influenza, legionnaire’s, leptospirosis and mycoplasma. Because hantavirus resembles these infections, a blood test is often the only way to officially diagnose it. There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. If HPS is suspected, the patient needs emergency medical care immediately, preferably in the intensive care unit. Suspected HPS patients should receive appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, even if they’re still waiting for a diagnosis. Care should also include fever reducers and pain relievers.

April 30, 2025 | Rodent control is the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a disease caused by infection with certain hantaviruses. Wild rodents near human populations should be controlled and excluded from homes. Safely caring for pet rats can help prevent hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, another disease that can be caused by infection with certain hantaviruses. Pet owners can consult their veterinarians about testing new rats for hantaviruses before they are introduced into new homes, especially if they will be living with other rats in a home or breeding facility. Keep wild rats, which naturally carry hantavirus, away from pet rats by taking steps to prevent rodent infestations. If you have mice or rats in or around your home or vehicle, it’s important to clean up all urine, droppings, dead rodents, and nesting materials safely while wearing the necessary protective gear to protect your health.