15.04.2025 17:12
In February, the mansion of world-famous actor Gene Hackman, who was found dead in the United States, and his wife Betsy Arakawa was infested with mice. The mansion was overrun by mice that spread the deadly hantavirus disease.
American Hollywood star Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their mansion in New Mexico in February. It was determined that 65-year-old Arakawa died from a rodent-borne disease called hantavirus. It was announced that 95-year-old Hackman, who had advanced Alzheimer's disease, died a week after his wife. It was noted that Hackman may have been unaware of his wife's death, as he passed away due to kidney and heart issues. The couple's 12-year-old dog also died from hunger and thirst.
RATS INVADED THE FAMOUS ACTOR'S HOUSE
According to a report in the Daily Mail, deadly disease-carrying rats invaded the famous couple's $4 million mansion. After the bodies of Arakawa and Hackman were found, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted a health assessment at the mansion.
It was determined that dead rodents and their nests were found in 8 separate outbuildings on Hackman's property, which they had turned into a breeding ground for hantavirus. Teams found animal droppings and carcasses in different areas of the mansion.
WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS?
Hantavirus was first recorded as a deadly disease in South Korea in 1978. Hantavirus is an RNA virus that can be transmitted to humans through rodents and can lead to serious health problems. Hantavirus can be transmitted to humans through the droppings, urine, or saliva of infected rodents. The risk is higher in environments contaminated with the waste of these animals, especially during cleaning or direct contact. Human-to-human transmission is rare.
Authorities stated that one of the cases was infected when the victim swept up rodent waste, while the other may have been exposed to the virus during an infestation in the home. However, the lack of any evidence of rat infection in the last case raised questions about the disease.
HANTAVIRUS SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of hantavirus infection can vary depending on the type of infection. Early symptoms include fatigue, fever, muscle and headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. After 4 to 10 days, more serious symptoms such as shortness of breath and pulmonary edema may appear.
Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for hantavirus, but early diagnosis can positively affect the course of the disease.
To prevent the disease, it is crucial to prevent rodents from entering homes and workplaces, store food in closed containers, and be careful when cleaning areas with rodent droppings and urine.