The cause of the deaths of 95-year-old actor Jean Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman (65).
Hackman was found to have advanced atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease Alzheimer’s diseaseAccording to New Mexico authorities, his wife may have probably died of “Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome” (HPS).
hantaviruses includes a Virus Group It is primarily carried by rodents that can cause severe respiratory or renal disease in humans, according to Dr. Rhys Parry, a molecular virologist at the University of Queensland, Australia.
Jean Hackman’s Death Timeline: The Actor’s Last Day with Wife
Most hantaviruses found in North, Central and South America, where Hackman’s wife has been discovered, can cause HPS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The Hantavilus, which can be found all over the United States, is not known to spread among people,” the CDC said.
The cause of death of actor Jean Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman, 65, has been revealed. (Getty Images)
HPS has a mortality rate of almost 40% on them People who are infectedaccording to the above source.
How Hantavirus spreads
“Huntabilus usually spreads when humans breathe viral particles from disturbed rodent urine, feces, or nesting material,” Parry told Fox News Digital.
The fatal virus sample went missing from the lab for “major biosecurity violations,” authorities say
The CDC lists the following potential spreading mechanisms:
- Breathe contaminated air when cleaning after rodents
- Touch a contaminated object and then touch your nose or mouth
- Bits or hurts infected by infected rodents
- Eating foods contaminated with viruses
Hackmann was found to suffer from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease along with advanced Alzheimer’s disease, but his wife likely died from Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome first. (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ox Archives/Getty Images)
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst and professor of clinical medicine at Nyu Langone Health and Fox News, agreed that Hantavirus spreads through dust from rodent saliva, urine and places of contact.
Most common Rodent types Carrying it in the US is a deer mouse, doctors pointed out.
Early symptoms of hantavirus include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems.
Most hantavirus cases are seen in rural areas, with rodents likely to enter homes and barns, the CDC said.
Both experts agreed that Hantavirus infection is “incredibly rare.”
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“This is a pretty sad situation,” Parry pointed out. “To be honest, I was impressed that they were able to determine that it was HP after the fact.”
Siegel added: “It rarely affects humans because only a portion of the rodents have it, and not all of them come into contact with it.
Symptoms and treatment
Early symptoms of hantavirus include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, and Gastrointestinal problems According to Parry, it appears one to eight weeks after exposure.
“These progress to serious respiratory symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath and lung fluid after 4 to 10 days,” he said.
Hantaviruses include a group of viruses carried primarily by rodents, which can cause severe respiratory or renal disease in humans. (istock)
The Sin Nombre virus is the most common hantavirus in the United States, which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with a mortality rate of approximately 38%.
“When the lungs are filled with fluid, they are usually fatal, Respiratory failure And insufficient oxygen reaches critical organs,” Parry pointed out.
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Early intensive care with oxygen therapy and oxygen therapy does not have specific antiviral treatments for hantavirus, experts said Supporting means It’s important.
“Intensive care is important because patients with sudden acute illnesses can quickly become severely ill and die,” the CDC said.
Hantaviruses can cause severe illness, bleeding fever, kidney disease, or Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. (istock)
“If a patient is experiencing complete distress, it is unlikely that treatment will be effective.”
Cooperative care includes surveillance Heart functionadminister liquids and oxygen, and place the patient on a ventilator if necessary.
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Patients may receive extensive antibiotic therapy, fever reducing agents Pain medicine.
“Prevention focuses on controlling rodents, proper cleaning of infected areas with protective equipment, and avoiding exposure to rodent habitat,” Parry added.
