What is hantavirus, the infection that killed Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa?

Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus infection, officials successful New Mexico announced Friday.

Hantavirus, recovered passim the world, is dispersed by interaction with rodents oregon their urine oregon feces. It does not dispersed betwixt people.

The microorganism tin origin a terrible and sometimes deadly lung corruption called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bureau began tracking the microorganism aft a 1993 outbreak successful the Four Corners portion — the country wherever Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet.

The immense bulk of U.S. cases since past person been successful occidental states, particularly the southwest. Between 1993 and 2022, determination were 864 reported U.S. cases. New Mexico had the highest fig implicit that time, astatine 122, followed by Colorado astatine 119.

Symptoms commencement 1 to 8 weeks aft exposure, and initially tin see fatigue, fever and musculus aches, according to the CDC. As the illness progresses, symptoms tin see coughing, shortness of enactment and tightness successful the thorax arsenic the lungs capable with fluid. About a 3rd of radical who make respiratory symptoms from the illness tin die, the CDC says.

The champion mode to debar the germ is to minimize interaction with rodents and their droppings.

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