What you should know about Hantavirus, the rare disease that killed Betsy Arakwa

Medical experts on March 7, 2025, revealed the cause of classical pianist Betsy Arakwa’s death. Arakwa aged 65, was said to have died of a rare infection known to be Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a week before her husband died.

Her husband Gene Hackman, aged 95, died of cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s disease.

Recall that on February 26, 2025, Arakwa and Hackman, were found dead inside their home by maintenance authorities.

Medical investigations said, Arakwa who was found in their home’s bathroom with an open prescription bottle and scattered pills, died of hantavirus.

Chief medical investigator Heather Jarrell spoke about this Arakwa’s rare infection.

He said “The mortality rate of [hantavirus] is about 38-50 per cent.”

Arakwa’s s body showed signs of decomposition and mummification in the hands and feet by the time Health authorities arrived.

About Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

Hantavirus is a rare and potentially deadly viral disease spread through contact with rodents or their urine, faeces, or saliva.

It disease can cause a severe lung infection.

Medical experts have said that, there no specific treatments, but early medical attention can increase the chance of survival.

They added that the infection can rapidly progress and become life-threatening.

Sonja Bartolome a medical expert from the UT Southwestern Medical Centre in Dallas said:

“It really starts like the flu, body aches, feeling poorly overall.”

“Early in the illness, you really may not be able to tell the difference between hantavirus and having the flu,” she added.

According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus can cause a severe and sometimes deadly lung infection called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

The CDC began tracking the virus after a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region, which is Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

The majority of US cases since then have been in western states, especially the south-west.

Between 1993 and 2022, there were 864 reported US cases.

New Mexico reported a total of 129 cases of hantavirus with 52 deaths between 1975 and 2023, according to the state health department.

Symptoms start between one to eight weeks after exposure and initially can include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, according to the CDC.

As the disease progresses, symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest as the lungs fill with fluid.

According to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the outbreak of hantavirus generally occur in South and North America.

Minimising contact with rodents reduces risks of hantavirus

The best way to avoid the germ is to minimise contact with rodents and their droppings.

Public health expert, also recommend the use of a bleach solution or disinfectant in public areas and offices.

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