Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a deadly virus spread by rodents, has been identified as the cause of death for Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Gene Hackman. Three people in Mammoth Lakes, California have died from hantavirus, with 27 cases reported since 1993. Health officials are warning residents to be cautious around mice and their droppings, as the virus can cause serious illnesses affecting the lungs and death. Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome can appear one to eight weeks after contact with an infected rodent, with infections not spreading from person to person. The disease is more prevalent in Southwest states such as New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and California, where an increase in deer mice populations elevates the risk of exposure. Despite precautions, the people who died in Mammoth Lakes had minimal exposure to rodents, with some having mice in their homes or encountering mouse droppings at work. Health officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and to be cautious around mice and their waste to prevent exposure to the virus.
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