Hantavirus: What we know about the serious viral disease that killed Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa

Betsy Arakawa were found dead, along with their pet dog, at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico in February 2025, sparking intense speculation about their cause of deaths. Recently, authorities revealed Gene Hackman died of heart disease days after his wife died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). But what exactly is this rare illness?

Here are ten points you need to know about Hantavirus:

-Betsy Arakawa died around a week before her husband from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – an infection transmitted to humans from rodent faeces, urine and saliva.

-It is unknown how Arakawa contracted hantavirus. Usually, farmers and forestry workers are most at risk of exposure to infected rodents. Once the hantavirus enters the body, it replicates and spreads, which can cause a severe amount of damage in the lungs.

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-The virus weakens blood vessels and causes leakage and fluid buildup in the air sacs, making breathing difficult. Once inside the body, the hantavirus replicates and spreads, causing significant damage to the lungs. It weakens blood vessels, leading to leakage and fluid accumulation in the air sacs, which makes breathing challenging.

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-Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare but serious viral disease that can damage the heart, lungs and other organs, according to The Guardian. The syndrome progresses quickly and can be fatal, according to the Cleveland Clinic, one of the largest and most respected medical centers in the US.

-The report said Hantaviruses cause two syndromes, including HPS and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.