Per Google: Betsy Arakawa, the wife of legendary actor Gene Hackman, tragically died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory illness contracted from infected rodents. [1, 2] Arakawa likely contracted the disease at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home, where investigators found signs of rodent nesting and feces in detached outbuildings. This rare but serious disease primarily transmits to humans through contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected mice and rats. [1, 2, 3, 4] Key Details & Symptoms Transmission: Humans catch the virus by breathing in airborne particles from stirred-up rodent droppings or urine. It rarely spreads between humans. Incubation Period: Symptoms typically appear one to eight weeks after exposure. Initial Symptoms: Early signs mimic the flu and include fatigue, fever, muscle aches (thighs, hips, back), headaches, and chills. Severe Symptoms: In late stages, HPS causes the lungs to fill with fluid, leading to coughing and severe shortness of breath. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Some surprise the cruise ship patient was repatriated. At one time, foolish people thought confinement would prevent spread of COVID. Bob Wilson
