Arizona cases of the same virus that killed Gene Hackman's wife were fatal in 2025
These fatalities follow four Hantavirus-related deaths in Arizona in 2024 and come just days after the death of Betsy Arakawa in New Mexico, the pianist and wife of actor Gene Hackman, who passed away from the virus shortly before her husband.
"Although contracting the virus is rare, 38% of cases are fatal," ADHS spokesperson Magda Rodriguez said.
In addition to the 2025 infection data, the health department provided The Arizona Republic updated figures on positive 2024 Hantavirus cases.
Hantavirus causes a potentially fatal illness known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which can lead to fever, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing.
The ADHS reports that Arizona had 11 confirmed cases of Hantavirus in 2024, five of which were fatal.
Most of the cases were in northern Arizona, with five in Apache County, three in Coconino County, two in Navajo County, and one in Pima County.
Seven of the cases were residents of the Navajo Nation, where the most common strain of the virus first emerged and led to a historic outbreak in 1993.
Hantavirus is typically spread by wild rodents like the deer mouse, though the virus is not exclusively transmitted by these animals, according to ADHS.
Despite recent headlines, the health department reassures that "Hantavirus is a rare disease."
Since 1990, the reported cases per 100,000 Arizonans have remained between 0% and 0.2%.
However, the virus is not confined to one area and can be found throughout the Southwest.
Hantavirus is usually spread from rodents through viral droplets agitated from stirring up material contaminated with rodent urine, saliva or feces, according ADHS.
"Most Hantavirus exposure is due to residential rodent infestation. Additionally, people can be exposed when entering unused buildings, and coming in contact with rodent burrows outdoors," said the spokesperson.
The virus is not spread from person to person.
ADHS stated that there is no vaccine for Hantavirus, and treatment only involves supportive care for symptoms, which can appear 1-8 weeks after exposure.
A positive infection leading to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome may cause symptoms such as fatigue, fever, muscle aches, dizziness, chills, diarrhea, vomiting, cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing, according to ADHS.
ADHS provided the public the following tips to prevent the spread of Hantavirus and a possible case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.
Reduce rodent habitats around the home, work, and recreational environments. Remove brush, rock piles, firewood, and possible food sources.
Eliminate or minimize contact with rodents in the home by sealing holes and gaps in homes or garages, placing traps in and around homes, and cleaning up any easy-to-get food.
If you suspect rodent activity in/around your home:
Avoid actions that raise dust, such as sweeping or vacuuming and take precaution when cleaning areas where rodents may be present
Before cleaning an area suspected of contamination, open all doors and windows. Ventilate the space by airing it out for 30 minutes and leave the area during this time.
Use a 10% bleach solution and spray down areas where rodent/mouse droppings or nests are found and allow the solution to soak for at least 15 minutes to kill the virus.
After disinfecting, wear rubber gloves and a mask to clean up the droppings with disposable materials such as paper towels or rags.
Contact public health officials and seek medical care if you are experiencing signs of Hantavirus after possible exposure to areas with rodents or rodent droppings.
Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hantavirus cases in Arizona in 2025 have, to date, all been deadly
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Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
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Once CHS has been diagnosed, there isn't much of cure yet, and health professionals cannot do much to stop the vomiting. 'They typically can provide supportive care, often working with the patient, giving them Haldal for their anxiety, and giving them antinausea medication,' Balneaves said. 'The really strange part about CHS — I'd love to know how they figured this out — they found out if people take very, very hot showers … it actually stopped people from getting sick to their stomach.' Another study from 2020 showed if people rubbed capsaicin on their stomachs, it would also help. The study noted applying it topically showed 'promising intervention and provides an alternate approach to antiemetics and narcotics routinely used in patients with (CHS).' 'We often tell people if they are experiencing (CHS) and don't want to go to the hospital, to have a really, really hot bath or shower, and it tends to stop it,' Balneaves said. 'There's a thought it's triggering the hypothalamus in the brain and it's resetting things, perhaps resetting the CD1 receptors.' But more research is needed. Health Canada does have a reporting line, for people to report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of cannabis and cannabis products (dried, oils, fresh) for medical purposes. The Canada Vigilance Program can be reached online or by calling 1-866-234-2345 . 'It's not surprising we're seeing more people with it, because we're seeing more Canadians using cannabis,' Balneaves said. 'We also have people getting used to (their dose), so they're using higher THC, and again, they're not expecting this outcome.' Balneaves said if someone experiences CHS, it's not known if they have it for life. 'For some individuals, it's usually such an awful experience, they may be disinclined from trying it again. Often, if people take a break from cannabis, they can reset their system and are able to utilize it again,' she said. 'They actually don't know if it increases the likelihood of having future CHS, if you might have a propensity to experience it.' Often, people use it less often, she noted. 'Some take a two-week break, others try to level off (their THC dose) again.' Unfortunately, people who use cannabis aren't often warned about the potential side effect to high THC consumption. 'A lot of the warnings we see attached to cannabis is about impairment and getting high. When I speak with people using it in a medicinal context, I do mention it,' Balneaves said. 'I mention it to clinicians, because I work with people with cancer, and they panic because they think they're having a reaction (to chemo treatment) or they get worried their cancer has come back. I warn them so they're aware of it.' 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National Geographic
6 days ago
- National Geographic
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6 days ago
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