In a sad twist of fate, Betsy Arakawa, wife to legendary actor Gene Hackman, allegedly searched for flu-like symptoms on the internet just days before her death. Medical records revealed that Arakawa died from hantavirus, a rare and potentially deadly disease usually caused by contact with rodent saliva, urine, or feces.
The pair, who had led a relatively quiet life in New Mexico, was stunned by the abrupt development of symptoms. Arakawa, 61, at first thought she had come down with a bout of the flu, complaining of fever, tiredness, and muscle pain—typical early-stage symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
In spite of initial misunderstanding regarding her condition, additional research and toxicology tests revealed the presence of hantavirus, an illness with no cure but one that can be treated if diagnosed early. Unfortunately, Arakawa’s condition developed quickly, being fatal before treatment could act.
Hantavirus is very rare in the U.S., and only a handful of cases occur each year. Medical professionals are now leveraging Arakawa’s experience to raise awareness of rodent-borne illnesses and get people to immediately consult doctors if they develop sudden onset flu-like illness.
