Hantavirus: Deadly Virus Linked to Rodents Takes Lives
Betsy Arakawa, wife of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, died from a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus, a rare disease transmitted by infected rodents, officials have confirmed. Hantavirus can cause flu-like symptoms after exposure to rodent droppings, and in severe cases, it may develop into Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a life-threatening lung condition. Medical investigators believe Ms Arakawa contracted HPS, which led to her death.
- The hantavirus outbreak highlights the often-overlooked risks of interacting with wildlife, underscoring the importance of proper precautions and awareness in preventing such cases.
- What measures can be taken by public health agencies and individuals to mitigate the spread of hantavirus and other zoonotic diseases, which are transmitted from animals to humans?