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Where are they now? Officials race to find 40 passengers who disembarked cruise ship stricken with hantavirus

Thu, 07 May 2026 07:41:17 -0400

Nearly 40 passengers exposed to a deadly hantavirus outbreak are believed to have walked off a cruise ship without contact tracing and scattered across multiple countries, leaving authorities scrambling to find them.

Oceanwide Expeditions, the company that operates the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, said Thursday that 29 passengers disembarked on April 24, nearly two weeks after the first death on board, while Dutch officials put the number closer to 40.

The passengers, representing at least a dozen nationalities, returned to their home countries across Europe, Africa and beyond, creating a complex international search effort, the company said, adding that nationalities of two of the people were unknown.

Health officials have already confirmed that at least one passenger who left the ship, a man who returned to Switzerland, tested positive for the Andes strain of the hantavirus, a rare variant that can spread between people through close contact.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER DESCRIBES UNCERTAINTY AFTER 3 DEATHS AMID HANTAVIRUS PROBE

The outbreak has already resulted in at least three deaths, while several others have fallen ill as the virus spread among passengers.

A Dutch man died on April 11, and his body was taken off the ship onto the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena. His wife also disembarked there before flying to South Africa, where she collapsed and died at the Johannesburg airport.

Argentine officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the leading hypothesis is that the couple may have been exposed to rodents while visiting a landfill during a bird-watching tour in the city of Ushuaia, unknowingly contracting the virus before boarding the cruise ship.

RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED

Hantavirus usually spreads by inhaling contaminated rodent droppings. The World Health Organization (WHO) said human-to-human transfer is uncommon, but possible.

Additional evacuations followed the Dutch man’s death.

A British man was flown to South Africa from Ascension Island, according to the company, while three more people, including the ship’s doctor, were airlifted to Europe for treatment as the vessel drifted near Cape Verde.

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With passengers dispersing across continents and limited records of their movements, officials in South Africa and across Europe are now working to reconstruct travel paths and identify anyone who may have been exposed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Doctor warns 'terrifying' cruise virus can be mistaken for flu before turning deadly

Wed, 06 May 2026 09:42:20 -0400

A deadly virus outbreak on an Atlantic cruise ship has doctors sounding the alarm over its potential lethality, with a mortality rate as high as 38% for certain strains, while early flu-like symptoms heighten the risk of misdiagnosis.

"[If] you think about it from that term, it's pretty terrifying," Dr. Zaid Fadul said Wednesday, reacting to the risk.

The Andes strain of the hantavirus has taken center stage after an outbreak left at least three people dead with five additional suspected cases reported on the ship, which is anchored off the coast of Cape Verde.

The rodent-borne disease, Fadul said, begins with seemingly benign symptoms like fatigue, chills, muscle aches, headaches and dizziness, but ultimately breaks down blood vessels and leaves victims susceptible to a 35% to 38% mortality rate.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?

"It’s very, very common to be misdiagnosed with the flu early on," he said, describing symptoms that can intensify over the span of a day. "It can become pretty overwhelming pretty quickly."

The World Health Organization (WHO) is investigating the incident. Information posted on the organization's website states the illness onset occurred between April 6 and April 28, with patients initially experiencing milder symptoms like gastrointestinal issues and fever, followed by rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock.

A multifaceted response, including isolation, care and medical evacuation, is helping manage the outbreak, the WHO said.

GENE HACKMAN'S HOME FOUND TO BE INFESTED WITH RODENTS AFTER WIFE DIED OF HANTAVIRUS

Despite the deadly spread, Fadul attempted to ease concerns that the problem could become much larger.

"I understand people's concern, anxiety. I will tell you that with the amount of attention and focus and effort being put into containing this, it should keep it contained..." he said.

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Fadul said the virus has a long "latency period" and recommended that people who suspect infection be quarantined for up to eight weeks.

"At this point, we've identified it. You've quarantined everyone. Those people who are at risk are going to be kept away from the general population and, typically, you have to be in really close contact with somebody... to really pick it up person-to-person... and we've got the appropriate measures in place, and my suspicion is we've hopefully contained this."

Medical experts previously told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that a rodent vector is typically required to transmit the illness, though contact with contaminated materials or bites can occasionally be the culprit.

ӣ��Ƶ' Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.

Swiss man tests positive for hantavirus after returning from cruise linked to deadly outbreak

Wed, 06 May 2026 08:05:16 -0400

A Swiss man who returned from a cruise linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak has tested positive and been isolated, as health officials say the strain involved can spread between people in rare cases — though the overall risk remains low.

Health authorities in Switzerland confirmed the man recently traveled aboard the MV Hondius, the cruise ship at the center of an outbreak that has already killed three passengers and sickened several others.

Swiss health officials said the man sought medical care after developing symptoms and was immediately placed in isolation. His wife, who traveled with him, is self-isolating but has not shown symptoms.

The officials confirmed his case involves the Andes strain of hantavirus.

RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED

The World Health Organization said the Andes strain is a rare form of hantavirus that can spread between humans through close contact — unlike most hantavirus infections, which are typically linked to exposure to rodent droppings.

South African health authorities said they also identified the Andes strain in two other passengers who were on the ship.

The outbreak left the Dutch-flagged cruise ship stranded off the coast of Cape Verde, with nearly 150 passengers and crew on board as authorities scramble to contain the situation.

CDC REPORTS FIRST CRUISE NOROVIRUS OUTBREAK THIS YEAR, AS NEARLY 90 PEOPLE ARE INFECTED

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that three suspected cases were evacuated from the vessel and are being transported to the Netherlands for treatment.

"At this stage, the overall public health risk remains low," Tedros said.

Authorities stress that while the Andes strain can spread person-to-person, transmission remains uncommon and typically requires close, prolonged contact.

Health officials have launched monitoring efforts for passengers both on board and those who have already disembarked, coordinating across multiple countries as the investigation continues.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?

The ship departed Argentina on April 1 and was scheduled to travel through the Southern Atlantic, including stops in Antarctica, before the outbreak disrupted its itinerary.

Spain has agreed to receive the vessel in the Canary Islands, though local officials have raised concerns about potential risk to residents.

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Hantavirus infections are rare but can be severe, with symptoms ranging from fever and fatigue to serious respiratory illness.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Trapped cruise ship passenger shares update on cleanliness of ship amid deadly hantavirus outbreak

Tue, 05 May 2026 12:55:21 -0400

A trapped cruise ship passenger is sharing an updated statement amid a hantavirus outbreak.

Jake Rosmarin, a travel blogger from Boston, is aboard the Dutch vessel M/V Hondius, which was on a weeks-long polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica and several isolated islands in the South Atlantic when the deadly outbreak began.

In a tearful video shared to Instagram on Monday, Rosmarin said, "All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home."

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER DESCRIBES UNCERTAINTY AFTER 3 DEATHS AMID HANTAVIRUS PROBE

On Tuesday, Rosmarin shared an updated statement with ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"Other than the two ill passengers that have already been referenced in the media, everyone else onboard is doing well and remains in good spirits," Rosmarin said. "We are hopeful that this situation will be resolved soon."

Rosmarin praised the crew of Oceanwide Expeditions’ "best efforts" to keep passengers "safe, informed and as comfortable as possible during this time."

The passenger also pointed out that the M/V Hondius is not a traditional cruise ship, but an expedition vessel.

CLEANEST CRUISE LINES REVEALED AFTER CDC SURPRISE SANITATION INSPECTIONS

"These ships operate with strict protocols and a strong emphasis on cleanliness, especially given the remote and environmentally sensitive regions they visit, which require high levels of biosecurity," he said. "The vessel is maintained to a very high standard, and suggestions that it is unclean are not accurate."

Rosmarin also detailed the safety measures in place on the ship, including social distancing and masking.

"Passengers also have the option to have meals delivered directly to their cabins," he said. "Access to the outer decks is permitted for fresh air, while gathering in indoor common areas such as the lounge is currently restricted."

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"We continue to be well cared for, and additional medical provisions and supplies have been brought onboard."

Rosmarin said he remains hopeful that the situation will be resolved soon.

The ship originally departed from Argentina on April 1. The first illness and death occurred on April 11, and the ship reached Saint Helena on April 22 with the first victim onboard.

Hantaviruses include a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents that can cause severe respiratory or renal diseases in humans.

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There have now been a total of seven cases reported (two confirmed and five suspected), and three deaths among passengers, the World Health Organization confirmed. Two crew members are currently ill and one passenger was evacuated to intensive care in South Africa, according to reports.

WHO said the agency is still investigating the outbreak as the ship remains off the coast of Cape Verde, noting that human-to-human transmission is uncommon and that there is not a high risk to the wider ‌public.

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"We do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission that's happening among the really close contacts, the husband and wife, people who have shared cabins," Maria Van Kerkhove, the director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention at the WHO, told reporters in Geneva.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to the cruise ship company requesting comment.

Cruise ship passenger describes uncertainty after 3 deaths amid hantavirus probe

Mon, 04 May 2026 18:41:21 -0400

A passenger aboard a cruise ship where three people have died is speaking out, describing fear and uncertainty as the vessel remains off the coast of Cape Verde and the cause of a suspected hantavirus outbreak remains under investigation.

"I am currently on board the m/v Hondius, and what’s happening right now is very real for all of us here," the passenger said. "We’re not just a story, we’re not just headlines — we’re people with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home."

"There’s a lot of uncertainty, and that’s the hardest part. All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home," he added. "So if you’re seeing coverage about this, just remember that there are real people behind it and that this isn’t something happening somewhere far away. It’s happening to us right now."

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Sunday that one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending. Of the six people affected, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.

HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE

The vessel, m/v Hondius, remains off the coast of Cape Verde as authorities work to determine whether the cases are connected and when those requiring medical care will be allowed to disembark.

Oceanwide Expeditions, which operates the ship, released a timeline of the incident on Monday, showing the situation has unfolded over several weeks.

According to the company, a Dutch passenger died on April 11, though the cause of death could not be determined at the time. That individual was later disembarked on St. Helena on April 24.

CRUISE SHIP OUTBREAK LEAVES 3 DEAD AS OFFICIALS DELAY MEDICAL EVACUATIONS AND PROBE HANTAVIRUS THREAT

On April 27, the cruise line said the passenger’s wife, also Dutch, became ill during her return journey and later died. It has not been confirmed whether those deaths are connected to the current situation.

Also on April 27, another passenger became seriously ill and was medically evacuated to South Africa, where the individual remains in intensive care. A variant of hantavirus has been identified in that patient, who is of British nationality, the cruise line said.

A third passenger, who was German, died on May 2, though the cause has not yet been established.

CDC INVESTIGATES NEW CRUISE SHIP OUTBREAK AFTER DOZENS REPORT GASTROINTESTINAL ILLNESS

Two crew members on board — one British and one Dutch — are also experiencing acute respiratory symptoms and require urgent medical care, the company said.

At this time, hantavirus has not been confirmed in the two individuals still on board who need treatment, and officials have not established a link between the virus and the three deaths.

The ship remains at sea with 149 people on board, representing more than 20 nationalities, as medical evacuations and disembarkation require approval from local health authorities.

The company said it is working with local and international authorities, including the WHO, as it prepares for possible medical repatriation and next steps. Officials are also considering sailing the vessel to Las Palmas or Tenerife, where disembarkation and further medical screening could take place.

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"Strict precautionary measures are in process on board, including isolation measures, hygiene protocols and medical monitoring," the company said. "All passengers have been informed and are being supported."

"We are in close contact with those directly involved and their families, and are providing support where possible," the company added.

Hantavirus deaths on cruise ship highlight dangers of rodent-borne disease

Mon, 04 May 2026 14:13:54 -0400

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic has left at least three people dead and triggered an international investigation — putting the rare but potentially deadly disease back in the spotlight.

The World Health Organization has stated on X that one case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending.

Of the six people affected, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?

Here’s what to know about hantavirus, how it spreads and why health officials are taking the situation seriously.

Hantaviruses include a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents that can cause severe respiratory or renal diseases in humans, according to Dr. Rhys Parry, a molecular virologist at the University of Queensland in Australia.

Most hantaviruses that are found in North, Central and South America can cause HPS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The hantaviruses that are found throughout the United States are not known to spread between people," the CDC stated.

HPS has a nearly 40% fatality rate in those who are infected, according to the above source.

How hantavirus spreads

"Hantaviruses typically spread when humans breathe in virus particles from disturbed rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials," Parry previously told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT AT CENTER OF HEALTH ALERT OVER RAT-BORNE DISEASE

The CDC lists the following potential mechanisms of spread:

Breathing in contaminated air when cleaning up after rodents
Touching contaminated objects and then touching the nose or mouth
Getting bitten or scratched by an infected rodent
Eating food contaminated with the virus

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and ӣ��Ƶ senior medical analyst, agreed that hantavirus can spread via dust from rodents’ saliva, urine and places they touch.

The most common type of rodent to carry it in the U.S. is the deer mouse, the doctor noted.

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Most hantavirus cases are seen in rural areas, where it is more likely for rodents to get into homes or barns, the CDC noted.

Hantavirus infections are "incredibly rare," both experts agreed.

Siegel added that it rarely affects humans "because only some of the rodents have it, and they don't all come into contact — but one-third to one-half of cases are fatal."

Symptoms and treatment

Early symptoms of hantavirus include fever, muscle aches, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues that appear anywhere from one to eight weeks after exposure, according to Parry.

"These progress to serious respiratory symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs four to 10 days later," he said.

Sin Nombre virus is the most common hantavirus in the United States, which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with a mortality rate of approximately 38%.

"It typically becomes fatal when the lungs fill with fluid, leading to respiratory failure and insufficient oxygen reaching vital organs," Parry noted.

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There is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, the expert said, although early intensive care with oxygen therapy and supportive measures is crucial.

"Early intensive medical care is critical because patients who have sudden acute disease can rapidly become severely sick and die," the CDC states.

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There is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, the expert said, although early intensive care with oxygen therapy and supportive measures is crucial.

"Early intensive medical care is critical because patients who have sudden acute disease can rapidly become severely sick and die," the CDC states.

"Although there is no cure for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, it is important to seek medical care when short of breath, because the patient may need support from a mechanical ventilator or extra-corporal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) machine to deliver enough oxygen to their body," Dr. Sonja Bartolome, an expert in pulmonology and critical care at UT Southwestern Medical Center, previously told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"Even with medical care, 30% to 40% of people who develop hantavirus pulmonary syndrome will not survive."

Prevention of hantavirus

Bartolome offered some tips for preventing this rare infection.

"It can be prevented by keeping wild mice and rats out of your home, cleaning up rodent waste quickly when encountered, and staying away from areas infested with rodents," she told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

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"When cleaning up rodent waste, it is important to wear rubber gloves, use disinfectant and wash your hands afterward."

ӣ��Ƶ’ Greg Wehner contributed reporting.

Cruise ship outbreak leaves 3 dead as officials delay medical evacuations and probe hantavirus threat

Sun, 03 May 2026 20:12:48 -0400

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has left three people dead and several others ill, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement posted to X.

The U.N. health agency said one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending. Of the six people affected, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.

The WHO said it is coordinating with governments and the ship’s operator to arrange the medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, while continuing to assess the public health risk to those still on board.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?

"Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing, and epidemiological investigations," the WHO said. "Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew. Sequencing of the virus is also ongoing."

The outbreak is linked to the m/v Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa.

Oceanwide Expeditions, which operates the vessel, confirmed that three passengers died during the voyage and that one passenger is being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg.

Two crew members on board also require urgent medical care, the company said.

LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE OUTBREAK LINKED TO CRUISE SHIP HOT TUBS, CDC SAYS

As of late Sunday, authorities in Cape Verde had not authorized the disembarkation of passengers requiring medical treatment or broader medical screening, according to the company.

Local health officials have boarded the vessel to assess the situation but have not yet approved the transfer of symptomatic individuals to facilities on land.

"The priority of Oceanwide Expeditions is to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals on board receive adequate and expedited medical care," the company said.

GENE HACKMAN'S HOME FOUND TO BE INFESTED WITH RODENTS AFTER WIFE DIED OF HANTAVIRUS

Dutch authorities are working to coordinate the repatriation of those affected from Cape Verde to the Netherlands, though the effort depends on approval from local officials, Oceanwide Expeditions said.

Hantavirus infections are typically linked to exposure to infected rodents’ urine or feces and can lead to severe respiratory illness.

"While rare, hantavirus may spread between people, and can lead to severe respiratory illness and requires careful patient monitoring, support and response," WHO said.

There is no specific cure for the virus, though early treatment can improve survival.

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WHO said it has notified global health authorities under international regulations and is continuing to support the response.

"We are currently establishing the full facts and working on appropriate medical care, screening, and next steps," Oceanwide Expeditions said.

Hantavirus, cause of Gene Hackman’s wife’s death, kills three in California

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:19:37 -0400

Hantavirus, the disease that caused the death of Betsy Arakawa, actor Gene Hackman’s wife, has claimed the lives of three people in California.

After Arakawa, 65, was found dead along with Hackman, 95, on Feb. 26, authorities confirmed her cause of death as "hantavirus pulmonary syndrome" (HPS), while Hackman succumbed to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease along with advanced Alzheimer's disease.

Now, Mono County Public Health has confirmed a total of three deaths due to hantavirus in Mammoth Lakes, a town in California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

AFTER VAL KILMER’S PNEUMONIA DEATH, WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE RESPIRATORY VIRUS

Most hantaviruses that are found in North, Central and South America can cause HPS. The disease has a nearly 40% fatality rate in those who are infected.

All three of the recent California cases have been fatal, which Dr. Tom Boo, Mono County’s public health officer described as "tragic and alarming."

"We don’t have a clear sense of where this young adult may have contracted the virus," Boo said in a press release.

One person had "numerous mice" in their home, but no evidence of mice was found in the other two homes, the release stated.

"The occurrence of three cases in a short period has me worried, especially this early in the year," Boo said.

"We observed some mice in the workplace, which is not unusual for indoor spaces this time of year in Mammoth Lakes," he went on. "We haven't identified any other activities in the weeks before illness that would have increased this person's exposure to mice or their droppings."

Hantavirus cases are usually seen in the area in late spring and summer, the public health officer stated.

Seeing three cases this early in the year is "strikingly unusual."

"We believe that deer mouse numbers are high this year in Mammoth (and probably elsewhere in the Eastern Sierra)," Boo wrote. "An increase in indoor mice elevates the risk of Hantavirus exposure. Therefore, it is crucial to take precautions."

MEASLES OUTBREAK CONTINUES: SEE WHICH STATES HAVE REPORTED CASES

None of the infected individuals engaged in activities that would have exposed them to the virus, such as cleaning out poorly ventilated indoor areas or outbuildings with a lot of mouse waste, the official went on.

"Instead, these folks may have been exposed during normal daily activities, either in the home or the workplace," he said.

"Many of us encounter deer mice in our daily lives and there is some risk. We should pay attention to the presence of mice and be careful around their waste."

How hantavirus spreads

"Hantaviruses typically spread when humans breathe in virus particles from disturbed rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials," Parry previously told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

The hantaviruses found in the U.S. are not known to spread between people, according to the CDC.

PATIENT DIES FROM RABIES AFTER ORGAN TRANSPLANT FROM INFECTED DONOR

Other mechanisms of spread, according to the CDC, include breathing in contaminated air when cleaning up after rodents, touching contaminated objects and then touching the nose or mouth, getting bitten or scratched by an infected rodent, and eating food contaminated with the virus.

IMAGE

The most common type of rodent to carry it in the U.S. is the deer mouse, the doctor confirmed.

Most hantavirus cases are seen in rural areas, where it is more likely for rodents to get into homes or barns, the CDC noted.

Siegel added that it rarely affects humans "because only some of the rodents have it, and they don't all come into contact — but one-third to one-half of cases are fatal."

Symptoms and treatment

Early symptoms of hantavirus include fever, muscle aches, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues that appear anywhere from one to eight weeks after exposure, according to Parry.

"These progress to serious respiratory symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs four to 10 days later," he said.

Sin Nombre virus is the most common hantavirus in the United States, which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with a mortality rate of approximately 38%.

"It typically becomes fatal when the lungs fill with fluid, leading to respiratory failure and insufficient oxygen reaching vital organs," Parry noted.

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There is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, the expert said, although early intensive care with oxygen therapy and supportive measures is crucial.

"Early intensive medical care is critical because patients who have sudden acute disease can rapidly become severely sick and die," the CDC states.

"If a patient is experiencing full distress, it is less likely the treatment will be effective."

Supportive care can include monitoring heart function, administering fluids and oxygen, and placing the patient on a ventilator as needed. Patients may also receive broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, fever reducers and pain relievers.

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"Even with medical care, 30% to 40% of people who develop hantavirus pulmonary syndrome will not survive."

Prevention of hantavirus

To prevent the virus from spreading, Mono County Public Health recommended sealing up gaps in the home to prevent mice from entering and storing food in rodent-proof containers.

They also advised against vacuuming or sweeping rodent droppings, nests or urine, as that can stir up the virus into the air.

Any contaminated areas should be sprayed with a disinfectant or a freshly made 10% bleach solution, they recommended, and any enclosed areas should be aired out for at least 30 minutes before activities.

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People should wear gloves and an N-95 mask when cleaning contaminated areas.

"Do not eat food that may have been contaminated by rodents, and always wash your hands thoroughly after any potential exposure," health officials added.

What is hantavirus, the cause of Gene Hackman’s wife’s death?

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 10:47:00 -0500

The causes of death have been revealed for actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman, 65.

Hackman was found to have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease along with advanced Alzheimer's disease, while his wife likely passed away first from "hantavirus pulmonary syndrome" (HPS), according to New Mexico authorities.

GENE HACKMAN DEATH TIMELINE: ACTOR'S FINAL DAYS WITH WIFE

Most hantaviruses that are found in North, Central and South America can cause HPS, the condition that Hackman’s wife was found to have, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"The hantaviruses that are found throughout the United States are not known to spread between people," the CDC stated.

HPS has a nearly 40% fatality rate in those who are infected, according to the above source.

How hantavirus spreads

"Hantaviruses typically spread when humans breathe in virus particles from disturbed rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials," Parry told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

DEADLY VIRUS SAMPLES WENT MISSING FROM LAB IN ‘MAJOR BIOSECURITY BREACH,’ SAY AUTHORITIES

The CDC lists the following potential mechanisms of spread:

Breathing in contaminated air when cleaning up after rodents
Touching contaminated objects and then touching the nose or mouth
Getting bitten or scratched by an infected rodent
Eating food contaminated with the virus

The most common type of rodent to carry it in the U.S. is the deer mouse, the doctor noted.

Most hantavirus cases are seen in rural areas, where it is more likely for rodents to get into homes or barns, the CDC noted.

Hantavirus infections are "incredibly rare," both experts agreed.

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"This is a pretty sad set of circumstances," Parry noted. "I’m honestly impressed they were able to determine it was HPS after the fact."

Siegel added that it rarely affects humans "because only some of the rodents have it, and they don't all come into contact — but one-third to one-half of cases are fatal."

Symptoms and treatment

Early symptoms of hantavirus include fever, muscle aches, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues that appear anywhere from one to eight weeks after exposure, according to Parry.

"These progress to serious respiratory symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs four to 10 days later," he said.

Sin Nombre virus is the most common hantavirus in the United States, which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with a mortality rate of approximately 38%.

"It typically becomes fatal when the lungs fill with fluid, leading to respiratory failure and insufficient oxygen reaching vital organs," Parry noted.

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There is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, the expert said, although early intensive care with oxygen therapy and supportive measures is crucial.

"Early intensive medical care is critical because patients who have sudden acute disease can rapidly become severely sick and die," the CDC states.

"If a patient is experiencing full distress, it is less likely the treatment will be effective."

"Even with medical care, 30% to 40% of people who develop hantavirus pulmonary syndrome will not survive."

Prevention of hantavirus

Bartolome offered some tips for preventing this rare infection.

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"When cleaning up rodent waste, it is important to wear rubber gloves, use disinfectant and wash your hands afterward."

Latest Hantavirus News | ӣ����Ƶ

Where are they now? Officials race to find 40 passengers who disembarked cruise ship stricken with hantavirus

Doctor warns 'terrifying' cruise virus can be mistaken for flu before turning deadly

Swiss man tests positive for hantavirus after returning from cruise linked to deadly outbreak

Trapped cruise ship passenger shares update on cleanliness of ship amid deadly hantavirus outbreak

Cruise ship passenger describes uncertainty after 3 deaths amid hantavirus probe

Hantavirus deaths on cruise ship highlight dangers of rodent-borne disease

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Cruise ship outbreak leaves 3 dead as officials delay medical evacuations and probe hantavirus threat

Hantavirus, cause of Gene Hackman’s wife’s death, kills three in California

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What is hantavirus, the cause of Gene Hackman’s wife’s death?

How hantavirus spreads

Symptoms and treatment

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